Comparative study of Cobalt and Nickle substituted Zinc Ferrites as Electrodes in Supercapacitors

Abstract

The potential of Zinc Ferrite (ZnFe2O4) and its derivatives, namely zinc-nickel ferrite (Zn0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4) and zinc cobalt ferrite (Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4), as promising materials for supercapacitor electrodes is explored in this study. Significant attention has been garnered by these materials due to their exceptional combination of high electrical conductivity and chemical stability, essential attributes for efficient energy storage devices. To investigate their suitability, nanoparticles of ZnFe2O4, Zn0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4, and Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 were synthesized using the co-precipitation technique. A thorough characterization of these nanoparticles was then conducted using various analytical methods, including X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy. Valuable insights into the structural and chemical properties of nanoparticles were provided by these analyses. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of these nanoparticles was examined through Cyclic Voltammetry, Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge analysis, and Dielectric Spectroscopy. Promising results were revealed by these electrochemical studies, confirming the presence of a spinel crystal structure within the nanoparticles, indicative of their excellent electrochemical performance. In light of our combined findings, the potential applicability of ZnFe2O4, Zn0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4, and Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles as promising supercapacitor electrodes is strongly supported by this study. The presence of a spinel crystal structure within the nanoparticles, indicative of their excellent electrochemical performance, was confirmed by these electrochemical studies. These results contribute significantly to the growing body of knowledge on advanced electrode materials for energy storage applications. Moreover, the groundwork for further in-depth exploration and optimization of these unique ferrite-based nanoparticulate systems is laid by this research, offering promising prospects for the development of high-performance supercapacitors in the future.