Facile Synthesis of Self-Assembled Flower-Like Mesoporous Zinc Oxide Nanofakes for Energy Applications

Flower-shaped self-assembled zinc oxide (ZnO) nano akes were successfully synthesized via a temperature-controlled hydrothermal method. The crystallinity and phase formation of the compound were determined from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) result. Surface morphology investigations reveal the self-assembled ZnO nano akes to form a spherical flower-like structure. In addition, the particle size was determined from high-resolution transmission electron microscope measurement as 18 nm which is in accord with XRD and UV results. X-ray photo electron spectroscopy studies reveal the chemical composition and oxidation state of the ZnO nanoparticle. The specific surface area was calculated, and mesoporous nature was confirmed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. Results support the superior interaction between the electrode and electrolyte ions through surface pores. Capacitive performance of the ZnO electrode material was determined using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge studies, and a maximum specific capacitance of 322 F/g was obtained at 5 mV/sec. Electrochemical impedance spectrum reveals the materials fast charge transfer kinetics.