Unraveling the role of MXene (Ti3C2Tx) integrated Cu-doped WO3 nanocomposites via co-precipitation technique for enhanced supercapacitor performance
T. Jaqulin Jenila, W. Trinisha Infancy, R. Rathikha, P. Annie Vinosha, A. Manikandan, Senthilkumar Ramasamy, S. Maruthasalamoorthy, R. Navamathavan, Belina Xavier, Abdullah M. S. Alhuthali, Hala M. Abo-Dief, Magda H. Abdellattif, R. Balachandran, M. Khalid Hossain
Abstract
Abstract The rising population and increased energy consumption drive contemporary researchers to develop highly efficient electrode materials for high-power energy storage devices. Herein, copper-doped tungsten oxide (Cu-WO 3 ) and compositing MXene (Cu-WO 3 /MXene) in different concentrations have garnered substantial interest for their usage as an electrode material owing to their impressive energy-storing capacity, including high metallic conductivity, hydrophilic nature, and exceptional electrochemical performance due to their active surface chemistry. In the present work, we employ a facile co-precipitation technique to fabricate WO 3 and Cu-WO 3 (Cu x% = 5 at%, 10 at%, and 15 at%). Furthermore, we synthesized a synergistic 15 at% Cu-WO 3 /MXene nanocomposite by integrating Cu-WO 3 and MXene via sonication. The synthesized sample’s structure, functional, morphology, chemical composition, and electrochemical properties were examined through various techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The X-ray diffraction analyses corroborated the monoclinic state of WO 3 along with the substitutional inclusion of Cu in the WO 3 lattice integrated with MXene. Utilizing a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), the surface morphological analysis revealed the formation of Cu-WO 3 nanospheres embedded in MXene sheets. Furthermore, according to results obtained from electrochemical analysis profiles, at 1 mA, 15 at% Cu-WO 3 /MXene displayed a greater specific capacitance of 692.4 F/g in comparison to other electrode materials via a three-electrode system, which is due to the synergistic impact of the Cu-WO 3 as well as the conductive properties of MXene sheets. Also, the electrode demonstrated excellent cycling stability, retaining 89% of its initial capacitance over 5000 charge-discharge cycles. The Ragone plot revealed an energy density of 70.10 Wh/kg at a power density of 809.8 W/kg. B-value analysis and scan rate-dependent CV confirmed the contribution of both surface-controlled and diffusion-controlled charge storage mechanisms. Likewise, in contrast to all other synthesized materials, 15 at% Cu-WO 3 /MXene revealed a lesser solution resistance and charge transfer resistance. In accordance with the results, the 15 at% Cu-WO 3 /MXene nanocomposite is an extremely efficient capacitive material that can enhance electrochemical performance in energy storage applications.