Modified EISA synthesis of NiAl2O4/MWCNT composite mesoporous free-standing film as a potential electrochemical capacitor material

Electrochemically active, free-standing mesoporous films of nickel aluminate/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NiAl2O4/MWCNT) composite were synthesised by eco-friendly modified evaporation-induced self- assembly process (m-EISA). The high temperature annealed composite material displayed excellent morphological and electrochemical characteristics. The electrochemical performance was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis for the composite material annealed at 600 degrees C, 700 degrees C, 800 degrees C, and 900 degrees C. In particular, the composite material annealed at 900 degrees C, exhibited a specific capacitance of 618 F g(-1). The inverse spinel structure prepared by the m-EISA process assembled into a well-configured free-standing film in which MWCNTs facilitated electronic transport across NiAl2O4/MWCNTs interfaces. The m-EISA process employed in the present work was eco-friendly, economical, energy-efficient, time-saving, and provided flexibility in regulating the final mesostructure of the free-standing films. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, electrochemically active, free-standing mesoporous films of nickel aluminate/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite were successfully synthesized using an eco-friendly m-EISA process. The composite material annealed at 900 degrees Celsius exhibited a specific capacitance of 618 F g(-1). The m-EISA process was found to be eco-friendly, economical, and provided flexibility in regulating the final mesostructure of the free-standing films.