Uftrasonically assisted microwave synthesis of nanosti uctured FeCo_2O_4 as potential cathode materials for supercapacitors

摘要

Iron Cobaltite (FeCo_2O_4) is successfully prepared in a single-phase form via wet-chemical route with assistance from high power (150 W) ultrasound. The synthesis process was further hastened by utilizing the power of uniform microwave heating for solid-state reaction in lieu of conventional heating. We were able to achieve single-phase FeCo_2O_4 by calcinating sonicated solution at 400 °C for 6 h. The use of these accelerated synthesis techniques could accelerate the nucleation rate, and thus could result in reduction of phase formation temperature/time. This eventually resulted in nanoparticles formation with average particle size of ~ 200 nm. The electrochemical performance of the material was tested in a three-electrode system, with FeCo_2O_4 compound showing a high specific capacitance of 784 Fg~(-1) at 2 mVs~(-1) The electrochemical performance demonstrated by the Co_2O_4 put its candidature as a potential cathode material for supercapacitor application.