A simple method to prepare carbon nanotubes from sunflower seed hulls and sago and their application in supercapacitor

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.Y. Zhang ◽  
H.J. Niu ◽  
Y.M. Wang ◽  
C. Wang ◽  
X.D. Bai, ◽  
...  

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to provide a simple method for the preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by pyrolysing sunflower seed hulls and sago and to evaluate the application of such CNTs in supercapacitors. Design/methodology/approach – The CNTs were obtained by pyrolysing sunflower seed hulls and sago at 800°C. The prepared CNTs were studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge and discharge and electrochemical impedance spectra methods. Findings – The CNTs had large surface areas as determined by the methylene blue method and the Brunauer – Emmett – Teller method. And the CNTs that were prepared by pyrolysing the natural sunflower seed hulls (denoted as CNTs-1) and sago (denoted as CNTs-2) had capacitances of 86.9 F/g and 26.7 F/g, respectively. Research limitations/implications – The capacitances of CNTs can be further improved. Practical implications – The exceptional electronic and mechanical properties of CNTs prepared lend the CNTs to diverse applications including electrocatalysts, hydrogen storage, photovoltaic devices actuators, energy storage, field-emitting flat panel displays and composites. Originality/value – Currently, CNTs have not yet been used in the industry at a mass production scale due to high costs associated. The outcomes of the study reported in this article could provide a convenient method in aid of industrialisation of the production of CNTs.

2008 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 2327-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Subramanian ◽  
Hongwei Zhu ◽  
Bingqing Wei

Manganese oxides have been synthesized by a variety of techniques in different nanostructures and studied for their properties as electrode materials in two different storage applications, supercapacitors (SCs) and Li-ion batteries. The composites involving carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and manganese oxides were also prepared by a simple room-temperature method and evaluated as electrode materials in the above applications. The synthesis of nanostructured manganese oxides was carried out by simple soft chemical methods without any structure directing agents or surfactants. The prepared materials were well characterized using different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface area studies, etc. The electrochemical properties of the nanostructured manganese oxides and their composites were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) studies. The influence of structural/surface properties on the electrochemical performance of the synthesized manganese oxides is reviewed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 20160056 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pruna ◽  
F. Palacio ◽  
M. Martínez ◽  
O. Blázquez ◽  
S. Hernández ◽  
...  

Fabrication and organosilane-functionalization and characterization of nanostructured ITO electrodes are reported. Nanostructured ITO electrodes were obtained by electron beam evaporation, and a subsequent annealing treatment was selectively performed to modify their crystalline state. An increase in geometrical surface area in comparison with thin-film electrodes area was observed by atomic force microscopy, implying higher electroactive surface area for nanostructured ITO electrodes and thus higher detection levels. To investigate the increase in detectability, chemical organosilane-functionalization of nanostructured ITO electrodes was performed. The formation of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPTS) layers was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As an indirect method to confirm the presence of organosilane molecules on the ITO substrates, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were also carried out. Cyclic voltammograms of functionalized ITO electrodes presented lower reduction-oxidation peak currents compared with non-functionalized ITO electrodes. These results demonstrate the presence of the epoxysilane coating on the ITO surface. EIS showed that organosilane-functionalized electrodes present higher polarization resistance, acting as an electronic barrier for the electron transfer between the conductive solution and the ITO electrode. The results of these electrochemical measurements, together with the significant difference in the X-ray spectra between bare ITO and organosilane-functionalized ITO substrates, may point to a new exploitable oxide-based nanostructured material for biosensing applications. As a first step towards sensing, rapid functionalization of such substrates and their application to electrochemical analysis is tested in this work. Interestingly, oxide-based materials are highly integrable with the silicon chip technology, which would permit the easy adaptation of such sensors into lab-on-a-chip configurations, providing benefits such as reduced size and weight to facilitate on-chip integration, and leading to low-cost mass production of microanalysis systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Li ◽  
Peng Yang ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Zhongqing Liu

Bimetallic phosphides have been attracting increasing attention due to their synergistic effect for improving the hydrogen evolution reaction as compared to monometallic phosphides. In this work, NiCoP modified hybrid electrodes were fabricated by a one-step electrodeposition process with TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) as a carrier. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the physiochemical properties of the samples. The electrochemical performance was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We show that after incorporating Co into Ni–P, the resulting Ni x Co y P/TNAs present enhanced electrocatalytic activity due to the improved electron transfer and increased electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). In 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4 electrolyte, the Ni x Co y P/TNAs (x = 3.84, y = 0.78) demonstrated an ECSA value of 52.1 mF cm−2, which is 3.8 times that of Ni–P/TNAs (13.7 mF cm−2). In a two-electrode system with a Pt sheet as the anode, the Ni x Co y P/TNAs presented a bath voltage of 1.92 V at 100 mA cm−2, which is an improvment of 79% over that of 1.07 V at 10 mA cm−2.


Catalysts ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoya Yuan ◽  
Zijuan Feng ◽  
Jianjun Zhao ◽  
Jiawei Niu ◽  
Jiasen Liu ◽  
...  

Bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs) and Zinc Oxide photocatalysts (BiNPs/ZnO) with different Bi loadings were successfully prepared via a facile chemical method. Their morphology and structure were thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-Visible) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that a modification of hexagonal wurtzite-phase ZnO nanoparticles with Bi is achievable with an intimate interfacial interaction within its composites. The performance of the photocatalytic Cr(VI) removal under visible light irradiation indicated that BiNPs/ZnO exhibited a superior removal performance to bare ZnO, Bi, and the counterpart sample prepared using a physical mixing method. The excellent performance of the BiNPs/ZnO photocatalysts could be ascribed to the synergistic effect between the considerable physical Cr (VI) adsorption and enhanced absorption intensity in the visible light region, due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as well as the effective transfer and separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the interface.


2014 ◽  
Vol 926-930 ◽  
pp. 258-261
Author(s):  
Jing Heng Deng ◽  
Kan Ping Yu ◽  
Jian Guo Xie

Hierarchical nanostructure Fe3O4/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fe3O4/MWCNTs) were prepared by solvothermal process using acid treated MWCNTs and iron acetylacetonate in ethylene glycol as reduction reagent. The materials were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The results showed that petal-like hierarchical Fe3O4 grew on MWCNTs and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles had diameters in the range of 55-110 nm. It was a facile approach to grow hierarchical nanoFe3O4.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun He ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Yanjing Su

Purpose The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effect of Mn addition on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel. Design/methodology/approach Chronoamperometry, quasi-steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the corrosion behavior of Mn added A13Cr-HS sample and original S13Cr samples. In addition, the corrosion product film was characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Findings The A13Cr-HS sample with 8 wt.% Mn addition maintained good general corrosion resistance in both acidic and alkaline solutions compared to the original S13Cr sample. Additionally, the A13Cr-HS sample had good pitting resistance in an alkaline solution containing Cl−, but a weaker resistance in an acidic solution. Originality/value The influence of Mn addition on the formation mechanism of the passive film was systematically analyzed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 215 ◽  
pp. 158-162
Author(s):  
Liudmila E. Bykova ◽  
V.G. Myagkov ◽  
I.A. Tambasov ◽  
O.A. Bayukov ◽  
Victor S. Zhigalov ◽  
...  

A simple method for obtaining ZnO-Fe3O4 nanocomposites using solid-state reaction Zn + 3Fe2O3 ZnO + 2Fe3O4 is suggested. An analysis of the characteristics and properties of ZnO-Fe3O4 nanocomposites was carried out by a combination of structural and physical methods (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, Mössbauer measurements, X-ray fluorescent analysis, and magnetic measurements). The magnetization of the hybrid ZnO-Fe3O4 films is equal to 440 emu/cm3. The resulting Fe3O4 nanoparticles are surrounded by a ZnO shell and have sizes ranging between 20 and 40 nm.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Shuang ◽  
Leonardo Girardi ◽  
Gian Rizzi ◽  
Andrea Sartorel ◽  
Carla Marega ◽  
...  

This paper describes the preparation and the photoelectrochemical performances of visible light driven photoanodes based on novel r-GO/β-Cu2V2O7/TiO2 nanorods/composites. β-Cu2V2O7 was deposited on both fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) and TiO2 nanorods (NRs)/FTO by a fast and convenient Aerosol Assisted Spray Pyrolysis (AASP) procedure. Ethylenediamine (EN), ammonia and citric acid (CA) were tested as ligands for Cu2+ ions in the aerosol precursors solution. The best-performing deposits, in terms of photocurrent density, were obtained when NH3 was used as ligand. When β-Cu2V2O7 was deposited on the TiO2 NRs a good improvement in the durability of the photoanode was obtained, compared with pure β-Cu2V2O7 on FTO. A further remarkable improvement in durability and photocurrent density was obtained upon addition, by electrophoretic deposition, of reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) flakes on the β-Cu2V2O7/TiO2 composite material. The samples were characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) and UV-Vis spectroscopies. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances of β-Cu2V2O7 on FTO, β-Cu2V2O7/TiO2 and r-GO/β-Cu2V2O7/TiO2 were tested in visible light by linear voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (07n08) ◽  
pp. 713-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
José H. Zagal ◽  
Sophie Griveau ◽  
Mireya Santander-Nelli ◽  
Silvia Gutierrez Granados ◽  
Fethi Bedioui

We discuss here the state of the art on hybrid materials made from single (SWCNT) or multi (MWCNT) walled carbon nanotubes and MN4complexes such as metalloporphyrins and metallophthalocyanines. The hybrid materials have been characterized by several methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electrochemical microscropy (SECM). The materials are employed for electrocatalysis of reactions such as oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction, nitric oxide oxidation, oxidation of thiols and other pollutants.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Philani V. Hlophe ◽  
Langelihle N. Dlamini

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the removal and photodegradation of pesticides in water. Characteristics such as large surface area, crystalline structure and catalytic properties give MOFs an advantage over other traditional adsorbents. The application of MOFs in environmental remediation is hindered by their ability to only absorb in the UV region. Therefore, combining them with an excellent charge carrier 2D material such as black phosphorus (BP) provides an attractive composite for visible-light-driven degradation of pesticides. In the study, a nanocomposite of black phosphorus and MIL-125(Ti), defined as BpMIL, was prepared using a two-stage hydrothermal and sonication route. The as-prepared composite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. These techniques revealed that the circular and sheet-like morphology of the nanocomposites had minimum charge recombination, allowing them to be effective photocatalysts. Furthermore, the photocatalysts exhibited extended productive utilization of the solar spectrum with inhibited recombination rate and could be applied in visible-light-driven water treatment. The photodegradation of diazinon in water was studied using a series of BpMIL (4%, 6% and 12% by mass) nanocomposites as a photocatalyst. The optimal composite was determined to be 4%BpMIL. The degradation parameters were optimized and these included photocatalyst dosage, initial diazinon concentration and pH of the solution. The optimal conditions for the removal and degradation of diazinon were: neutral pH, [diazinon] = 20 mg/L, photocatalyst dosage = 0.5 g/L, achieving 96% removal of the pesticide after 30 min with 4%BpMIL, while MIL-125(Ti) showed 40% removal. The improved photodegradation efficiency of the 4%BpMIL composite was attributed to Ti3+-Ti4+ intervalence electron transfer and the synergistic effect between MIL-125(Ti) and BP. The photodegradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 1.6 × 10−2 min−1.


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