Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs)/Co3O4 nanocomposite for high performance supercapacitor

The search of low cost, highly competent electrode material is the hot research area for various next-gen applications. Herein, cost effective nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) anchored in cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanocomposite was fabricated through a simple hydrothermal method. The fabricated N-CQDs/Co3O4 nanocomposite showed high specific surface area (BET) of similar to 880 m(2) g(-1) with BJH pore size and volume of similar to 21 nm, 0.81945 cm(3) g(-1) respectively. The electrochemical performance through cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 3-electrode systems exhibited an improved specific capacitance of 1782 F g(-1) at 5 mV s(-1) in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Additionally, galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analysis showed an improved capacitive performance with a specific capacitance of 1867 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) current density. The energy density was calculated 36.9 Wh kg(-1) at the power density of 480 W kg(-1). The capacitance retention graph demonstrates 96% stability through 500 GCD cycles. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Automated summary

The study successfully fabricated cost effective nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) anchored in cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanocomposite, exhibiting high specific surface area and pore volume, showing good electrochemical performance, especially with high specific capacitance and energy density in KOH electrolyte.