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In-situ coating N-doped carbon on Co3O4 aerogel powders for remarkable supercapacitive properties

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Abstract

Sol-gel method combined with the freeze-drying method was applied to prepare Co3O4 aerogel powders (CAP). Subsequently, a nitrogen-doped carbon layer was encapsulated on the surface of the aerogel powder by carbonized polydopamine. Various characterizations including SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman spectrum, and N2 adsorption-desorption confirmed the successful synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Co3O4 aerogel powders (NCCAP) with a high specific surface area and mesoporous structure. The NCCAP electrode exhibits a higher specific capacity up to 753.6 C g−1 and N-doped coating provides additional double electric layer capacitance in a low potential range. More importantly, the capacity of the NCCAP electrode decreases by only 6% after 20,000 GCD cycles and the capacity retention at 50 A g−1 remains at 57.3% of the initial value at 1 A g−1, demonstrating electrochemical stability and high rate capability. An assembled asymmetric supercapacitor based on NCCAP electrode delivers a high energy density of 38.6 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent cyclic stability with 93.62% retention of initial capacity after 20000 cycles. The superior performance is attributed not only to the porous structure and large specific surface area of the aerogel powders but also to the structural stability of the electrode material due to the N-doped carbon coating, which is promising for supercapacitor applications.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • Co3O4 aerogel powders with N-doped carbon coating were prepared by a sol–gel route.

  • The sample has a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 145 m2 g−1.

  • The prepared electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 753.6 C g−1.

  • The electrode shows remarkable properties in long-term GCD cycles and rate capability.

  • An assembled ASC achieves a maximum energy density of 38.94 Wh kg−1.

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Author contributions

CL and WH wrote the main manuscript text. CL, QS and NW prepared all figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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  1. School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science & Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, PR China

    Caixia Lin, Qiuyao Su, Ni Wang & Wencheng Hu

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Lin, C., Su, Q., Wang, N. et al. In-situ coating N-doped carbon on Co3O4 aerogel powders for remarkable supercapacitive properties. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 108, 889–899 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06239-y

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