Enhanced supercapacitive performance of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles embedded polylactic acid composite flexible films and their antibacterial activity
摘要
The present study investigates the synthesis and performance of PLA and NiFe2O4 NP composite electrodes towards enhancing energy storage capacity and mechanical flexibility for wearable electronics of the future. XRD validated the inclusion of NiFe2O4 with typical peaks and nanoscale crystallite size. FTIR evidenced metal–oxygen vibrations and NiFe2O4/PLA interactions. SEM indicated the uniform dispersion of NiFe2O4 within PLA matrix. XPS validated Ni2+, Fe3+, and O2− states, confirming integration success. WCA analysis exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity with an increase in the content of NiFe2O4, with 1.5 wt% providing the best wettability. Cyclic voltammetry indicated increased redox activity with increasing content of NiFe2O4, and the highest capacitance was found at 1.5 wt% film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated lower charge transfer resistance at 1.5 wt%, which pointed to better conductivity. Galvanostatic charge–discharge tests indicated improved cycling stability and greater specific capacitance at this composition. In general, the best electrochemical performance was offered by 1.5 wt% of NiFe2O4/PLA. The composite electrodes had a high specific capacitance of 62.9 F/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g. They also had a power density of 505.1 W/kg and an energy density of 22.3 Wh/kg, which shows that they can store and recover energy well. They also showed good cyclic stability by retaining 86% of their initial capacitance after 5000 charge–discharge cycles, indicating durability for long-term use. In addition, the NiFe2O4/PLA composite showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, showing its applicability as an antimicrobial material. These results show that the synthesized electrodes can be used in high-performance energy storage devices that also have built-in hygiene features.