Synthesis and Electrochemical Performances of γ-KCoPO4 Nanocrystals as Promising Electrode for Aqueous Supercapatteries

Herein, discrete gamma-KCoPO4 nanocrystals were prepared by a facile, green and fast sol-gel route. The lattice parameters as well as positional and displacement parameters of atoms in the average gamma-KCoPO4 structure with a space group of P2(1)/n were calculated using full profile Rietveld refinement. Monodispersed quadrangular gamma-KCoPO4 nanocrystals with improved phase purity and crystallinity were found through XRD patterns and HRTEM images. Subsequently, the prepared gamma-KCoPO4 nanocrystals were tested as electrode material for supercapatteries in aqueous electrolytes. The gamma-KCoPO4 electrode shows superior specific charge capacity of 309 C g(-1) at 1 mV s(-1) in 1 M KOH, compared to 1 M NaOH (222 C g(-1)) and 1 M LiOH (77 C g(-1)). Further, it exhibits improved electrochemical activity by delivering an impressive specific charge capacity of 100 C g(-1) at a current of 0.6 mA cm(-2) in an aqueous electrolyte medium with acceptable capacity retention. A lab-scale supercapattery was assembled resembling the commercial device. The fabricated device delivered an enhanced specific energy of 28 W h kg(-1) and a specific power of 1600 W kg(-1) and prolonged cycle life of about 5000 cycles.