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Influence of calcination temperature on the electrochemical performance of Sol–gel-derived ZnO/C nanocomposite electrodes

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Abstract

In the present work, ZnO/C nanocomposites have been synthesized through the sol–gel technique using sucrose as a capping agent and carbon source. The as-prepared ZnO/C samples have been calcined at 300. 400 and 500 °C. The effect of calcination temperature on the structural, morphological and electrochemical properties has been assessed through XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDAX, CV, GCD and EIS studies. The XRD analysis indicates the formation of crystalline ZnO with hexagonal structure. The surface morphology of the sample calcined at 400 °C reveals a uniform. Partially attached, spherical particles structure due to the presence of carbon. The EDAX spectrum conclusively proves the presence of carbon in the samples. It has been found that the best possible electrochemical characteristics have been realized at a calcination temperature of 400 °C. At this stage, a maximum specific capacitance of 820 F g−1 at a specific current of 1 A g−1 and a low charge transfer resistance of 1.8 Ω, with good cyclic stability and reversibility, have been achieved. The study demonstrates that the calcination temperature has a strong bearing on the electrochemical characteristics of ZnO/C nanocomposite electrodes.

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  1. Department of Physics, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed to be University, Gandhigram, 624 302, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India

    Chelladurai Sasirekha, Sinnaswamy Arumugam & Gopalan Muralidharan

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Sasirekha, C., Arumugam, S. & Muralidharan, G. Influence of calcination temperature on the electrochemical performance of Sol–gel-derived ZnO/C nanocomposite electrodes. Appl. Phys. A 127, 124 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-04259-x

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