Facile synthesis of Co3O4@SeNPs grafted MWCNTs Nanocomposite for high energy density supercapacitor and antimicrobial applications
Jothirathinam Thangarathinam, M. Francklin Philips, V. Violet Dhayabaran, Bavatharani Chokkiah, Jayakumar Princy, Cyril Arockiaraj Crispin Tina, A Kasthuri, Ragupathy Dhanusuraman
Abstract
Herein for the first time, intertwined nanocomposite ([email protected] NPs/MWCNTs) of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) adsorbed on selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) (designated as [email protected] NPs) and thiol (–SH) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method to achieve excellent capacitive and microbicidal performance. The surface morphology, microstructure and functional group studies ensures that the existence of [email protected] NPs onto MWCNTs. The electrochemical studies (cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD)) were performed and demonstrated the Supercapacitive performance of [email protected] NPs/MWCNTs nanocomposite. Higher electrochemical capacitance (356 F/g) with better coulombic efficiency of 84% was acquired. Also, it exhibited an admirable antimicrobial study and illustrated that the pathogens were more susceptible to [email protected] NPs/MWCNTs nanocomposite. The superior electrochemical and antimicrobial activity was achieved owing to the specific inherent properties of thiol (–SH) groups opt binding and stabilizing [email protected] NPs against its aggregation on the surface of MWCNTs. The thiol (–SH) group influences the enrichment of [email protected] NPs onto MWCNTs and facilitates in enhancement of energy storage and microbicidal performance the nanocomposite. These attained outcomes put forward the applicability of the synthesized active nanocomposite towards supercapacitor and antibacterial agents against pathogens.