Physicochemical identity and charge storage properties of battery-type nickel oxide material and its composites with activated carbon. (10th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bagheri, Narjes; Aghaei, Alireza; Vlachopoulos, Nick; Skunik-Nuckowska, Magdalena; Kulesza, Pawel J.; Häggman, Leif; Boschloo, Gerrit; Hagfeldt, Anders
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 194(2016)
• Page Start: 480
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2016-03-10
• Subjects: battery-type material -- double layer capacitance -- nickel oxide -- nickel oxide/activated carbon composite -- charge capacity -- two- and three-electrode configuration; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.01.185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: A low temperature synthesis results in unusual capacitive behavior of nickel oxide. The capacitive properties are evaluated from two and three-electrode measurements. Activated carbon additive leads to approximately twofold increase in capacity of NiO-based symmetric cell. Also, the practical voltage window is broadened from 0.6V to 1V. The cell performance is improved in terms of energy and power densities. Abstract: The structural properties of annealed nickel oxide and its composites with activated carbon (synthesized via simple precipitation methods) have been addressed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption method and scanning electron microscopy. The charge storage properties of materials have also been investigated in three- and two-electrode configurations by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charging/discharging in alkaline media. The results are consistent with the view that, depending on a method of preparation, the resulting nickel oxide films may exhibit redox characteristics different from that typically observed for nickel oxide-based materials. It is demonstrated that faradaic-type (redox) reactions, that are typical for battery-like materials, contribute predominantly to the high electrode capacity of 257C g −1 (at 0.1 A g −1 ). By combining nickel oxide with a capacitive material such as activated carbon within the two-electrode symmetric cell, systems with increased charge-storage capabilities have been obtained. The fact, that the voltage window of nickel oxide-based cell has been broadened positively from 0.6 V to 1 V upon introduction of activated carbon, has also resulted in the increase of the cell's energy and power densities as well.