Browsing by Author "Altomare, Marco"
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- Capacitance response in an aqueous electrolyte of Nb2O5 nanochannel layers anodically grown in pure molten o-H3PO4Publication . Upadhyay, Kush; Cha, Gihoon; Hildebrand, Helga; Schmuki, Patrik; Moura E Silva, Teresa; MONTEMOR, FATIMA; Altomare, MarcoVertically aligned Nb2O5 nanochannel layers are grown on Nb metal substrates by self-organizing electrochemical anodization in a pure molten o-H3PO4 electrolyte. The capacitive behavior of these structures when used as negative electrodes is investigated in aqueous 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte, in a potential range from −0.2 to −1.25 V vs. SCE. Surface chemistry, morphology and crystallographic features of the Nb2O5 nanochannel electrodes are tailored by adjusting the synthesis parameters, namely anodization time and crystallization temperature, which have a significant effect on the electrode performance. 8 μm thick Nb2O5 nanochannel layers that are converted into orthorhombic phase by crystallization at 450 °C, display a maximized areal capacitance of ∼100 mF cm-2 at a current density of 1 mA cm−2. These electrodes retain 63% of the initial capacitance at 10 mA cm−2 and 81% after 1500 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 1.3 mA cm−2. Kinetic analysis of the electrochemical results reveals the occurrence of pseudocapacitive and diffusion-controlled processes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy evidences for these structures a low resistance across the electrode and at the electrode/substrate interface. These results are associated with the nanochannel morphology (high active area) of the Nb2O5 layers, and are ascribed to their crystalline nature, which provides an “oriented porosity” for ion diffusion and directional pathways for charge transport and collection.
- On the supercapacitive behaviour of anodic porous WO3-based negative electrodesPublication . Upadhyay, Kush; Altomare, Marco; Eugénio, Sónia; Schmuki, Patrik; Moura E Silva, Teresa; MONTEMOR, MARIAHerein we illustrate the functionality as pseudocapacitive material of tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanochannel layers fabricated by electrochemical anodization of W metal in pure hot ortho-phosphoric acid (o-H3PO4). These layers are characterized by a defined nanochannel morphology and show remarkable pseudocapacitive behaviour in the negative potential (−0.8–0.5 V) in neutral aqueous electrolyte (1 M Na2SO4). The maximum volumetric capacitance of 397 F cm−3 is obtained at 2 A cm−3. The WO3 nanochannel layers display full capacitance retention (up to 114%) after 3500 charge-discharge cycles performed at 10 A cm−3. The relatively high capacitance and retention ability are attributed to the high surface area provided by the regular and defined nanochannel morphology. Kinetic analysis of the electrochemical results for the best performing WO3 structures, i.e., grown by 2 h-long anodization, reveals the occurrence of pseudocapacitance and diffusional controlled processes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements show for the same structures a relatively low electrical resistance, which is the plausible cause for the superior electrochemical behaviour compared to the other structures.