Scalable Synthesis of Ni₃B₂O₆ Nanograins and Fabrication of a Coin Cell Supercapacitor for Powering Temperature Sensor Devices

Abstract

In this work, we present a facile and scalable method to synthesize nickel orthoborate nanograins (NBNG) by a simple solution combustion method. The expected crystallinity, phases, and functional groups of NBNG were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. In addition, the morphological features, chemical composition, and surface area of the NBNG nanograins were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. Electrochemical studies confirm that the NBNG displayed a specific capacitance of 684 F g–1 at 1 A g–1 with a retention of 73.6% after 5000 cycles, which is found to be a very promising value compared to the data reported so far. Further, its asymmetric coin cells prepared by using activated carbon (AC) as the opposite electrode (NBNG//AC) displayed a very encouraging specific capacitance of 138.86 F g–1 at 1 A g–1 (with a retention of 83% after 5000 cycles), an energy density of 59.06 Wh kg–1, and a power density of 1166.67 W kg–1. Inspired by these values, we further used an NBNG//AC supercapacitor device to power the Arduino microcontroller circuit-based temperature sensor device. The sensor device powered by four NBNG//AC coin cells showed the desired temperatures to be between 25 and 34 °C. The electrochemical results of NBNG//AC reported in this work will surely inspire many material scientists to further explore and develop highly functional transition metal borate-based materials for energy and electronic device applications.

Preparation of a Cu-Doped Graphene Oxide–Glutamine Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Electrode Applications: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

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Rapid Synthesis of Hierarchical Cobalt Disulfide Nanostructures by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method for High Performance Supercapatteries

“…Environmental problems and a depletion in conventional energy resources introduced the researchers to think about other alternative energy resources that efficiently meet the practical device applications. , A higher amount of energy consumption in the past few years leads to the development of reliable and efficient energy devices in an environmentally friendly, low cost, and sustainable way. , The necessity to develop efficient energy storage devices in an environmentally friendly route is an urgent demand. , Batteries and electrochemical capacitors are the most promising candidates for energy storage and conversion; both of them find suitability in applications ranging from electronic devices to smart grids. − Among these various energy storage devices, supercapacitors have profound interest due to their higher energy density, long cycle life, higher charge/discharge rate, environmental safety, etc. − Supercapacitors received wide attention due to their capability for the instantaneous transport of a high degree of power in a very short period of time compared to that of a rechargeable battery, and they possess high energy density in comparison to conventional dielectric capacitors, which make them a promising tool for practical applications. − Based on the energy storage mechanism, they are classified into two types: electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) where electrical energy is stored through the electrostatic charge diffusion and formation of electric double layers of charges at the electrode/electrolyte interface and pseudocapacitors store electrical energy by reversible faradaic reactions that happen at the surface of the electrode . The performance of a supercapacitor depends upon the properties of electrode-active materials used in it.…”