Microwave-aided cobalt oxide modified bismuth tin oxide (BiSnO) microrods as a novel electrode material for supercapacitor applications
摘要
In this study, cobalt oxide modified bismuth tin oxide (BiSnO) samples were synthesized via a facile microwave-assisted method and their electrochemical features were systematically investigated. XRD and FE-SEM analyses reveal that controlled cobalt oxide incorporation alters the microstructure from compact aggregates to well-dispersed microrod motifs and ensures uniform elemental distribution, thereby enhancing electrode–electrolyte interactions. Among the series, the 2 wt% Co3O4 modified BiSnO exhibits substantially improved electrochemical kinetics, with a low charge-transfer resistance of 0.36 Ω. In a three-electrode configuration, the 2 wt% Co3O4 modified electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 354 C g⁻1 at a current density of 10 A g⁻1 and excellent cycling stability (114% retention after 2500 cycles). When paired with activated carbon in an asymmetric device, it stably operates over a wide 1.4 V potential window and delivers a maximum energy density of 33.6 Wh kg⁻1 at a power density of 625 W kg⁻1. The device also maintains 90% of its initial capacity over 2500 cycles, highlighting its durability. These findings demonstrate that the structural tuning of BiSnO through the addition of Co3O4 can significantly enhance its charge-storage properties.