Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Performance of Co and Fe-Doped CuO Nanostructures as Electrode Material

In this research work we will present a facile and cost–effective co-precipitation method to prepare doped (Co & Fe) CuO and undoped CuO nanostructures. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of as-prepared samples reveals monoclinic crystal structure of synthesized pure CuO and doped-CuO nanostructures. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) was used to study the morphology and elemental composition of doped (Co & Fe) CuO and undoped CuO nanostructures. The effect of different morphologies on the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors has been found in CV (cyclic voltammetry) and GCD (galvanic charge discharge) investigations. The specific capacitances have been obtained 156 (±5) Fg^-1, 168(±5) Fg^-1 and 186 (±5) Fg^-1 for CuO, Co-doped CuO and Fe-doped CuO electrodes, respectively at scan rate of 5 mVs^-1, while it is found to be 114 (±5) Fg^-1, 136 (±5) Fg^-1 and 170 (±5) Fg^-1 for CuO, Co-CuO and Fe-CuO, respectively at 0.5 Ag^-1 as calculated from the GCD. The supercapacitive performance of the Fe-CuO nanorods is mainly attributed to the synergism that evolves between CuO and Fe metal ion. The Fe-doped CuO with its nanorods like morphology provides higher specific capacitance value and excellent cyclic stability among all studied nanostructured electrodes. Hence, Fe-doped-CuO nanostructures may be consider as a promising electrode material in supercapacitors.

Keywords: CuO nanostructures; XRD; XPS; FESEM; Raman spectroscopy; Supercapacitors.