Pure and Co doped CeO2 nanostructure electrodes with enhanced electrochemical performance for energy storage applications

Pure and Co doped CeO2 nanostructures were synthesized with different weight percentages of Co (0-7 wt%) via microwave technique. The thermal, structural, optical and morphological studies of the prepared nanoparticles were undertaken by thermo gravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), Raman and scanning electron microscopy (SEM & EDS). Electrochemical studies reveal that the Co(5%)-CeO2 (Co-C5) electrode exhibits better electrochemical storage. Co-C5 electrode exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 573 F g(-1) at a current density of 2 A g(-1). The stability of the electrode was tested and it exhibits 96% of cyclic stability even after 1000 continuous charge-discharge cycles and the obtained results are discussed in detail.