The role of ion beam in modification of CuO@NiO@ZnO/GO electrode for supercapacitor application

Recently, mixed transition metals oxides became emerging electrode materials for energy storage devices such as supercapacitors, batteries, etc. due to their high electrochemical performances. In this study, mixed transition metals including Copper oxide (CuO), Nickel oxide (NiO) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) in conjunction with graphene oxide (GO) were used to fabricate electrode materials for the supercapacitor applications adopting hydrothermal process. The features of the as-fabricated electrodes were further modified by irradiating them with 5.0 MeV C++ ions with varying fluence rates. Monte Carlo-based Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation code was utilized to analyze the ion implantation-induced processes inside the target electrode. Electrodes' crystal features, morphologies, elemental compositions, and vibrational and optical characteristics were examined employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were among various techniques engaged to analyze the electrochemical properties of the pristine and post-implanted electrode materials. The electrochemical findings from CV and GCD for the electrode implanted with 5.0 x 1015 ionscm- 2, which offered the best result presented enhanced specific capacitances of 1250 and 1350 Fg- 1 at a scan rate 1.0 mVs- 1 and current density 0.5 Ag- 1 respectively. This study revealed that carbon ion implantation at a fluence 5.0 x 1015 ionscm- 2 could prompt the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of this fabricated electrode material.