Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3–Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 Composite Oxygen Electrodes for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

In this paper, a series of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃–Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SSC–SDC) composite with different ratios were prepared and characterized as oxygen electrodes for solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). Yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was selected as the electrolyte with a SDC barrier layer to avoid detrimental solid state interaction between SSC and YSZ. At 850 °C, the impedance spectra showed that the optimum SDC content in the composite electrode was found to be about 30 wt.%, which showed a much lower area specific resistance of 0.03 Ω cm². The electrochemical performances of a Ni–YSZ hydrogen electrode supported YSZ membrane SOEC with the SSC–SDC73 oxygen electrode were also measured at 750–850 °C. The hydrogen production rate calculated from the Faraday's law was 327 mL cm^–2 h^–1 at 850 °C at an electrolysis voltage of 1.3 V with a steam concentration of ∼40%, which indicated that the SSC–SDC73 was a promising oxygen electrode candidate for high temperature electrolysis cells.     

Achieving 360 NL h−1 Hydrogen Production Rate Through 30‐Cell Solid Oxide Electrolysis Stack with LSCF–GDC Composite Oxygen Electrode

A 30‐cell solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) stack consisting of 30‐cell planar Ni–YSZ hydrogen electrode‐supported single cell with La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ–Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (LSCF–GDC) composite oxygen electrodes, interconnects, and sealing materials was tested at 750 °C in steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production. The direction of gas flow in the stack was a cross‐flow configuration, and the stack configuration was designed to open gas flow channels at the air outlet. The electrolysis efficiency of the stack was higher than 100% at 90/10H₂O/H₂ ratio under <0.5 A cm⁻² current density. During hydrogen production, the stack was operated at 750 °C under 0.5 A cm⁻² constant current density for more than 500 h with 4.06% k h⁻¹ degradation rate. Up to 73% steam conversion rate and 91.6% current efficiency were obtained; the net hydrogen production rate reached as high as 361.4 NL h⁻¹. Our results suggested that the SOE stack that was designed with LSCF–GDC composite oxygen electrode could be used to conduct large‐scale hydrogen production.     

Microstructure and Polarization Studies on Interlayer Free La0.65Sr0.3Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ Cathodes Fabricated on Yttria Stabilized Zirconia by Solution Precursor Plasma Spraying

Nano‐structured cathodes of La_0.65Sr_0.3Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ (LSCF) are fabricated by solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS) on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes (LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ). Phase pure LSCF is obtained at all plasma power. Performances of LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes are compared with conventionally prepared LSCF cathodes on YSZ (LSCF‐C‐YSZ) and gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) (LSCF‐C‐GDC) electrolytes. High R_p is observed in the LSCF‐C‐YSZ (∼42 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) followed by LSCF‐C‐GDC (R_p ∼ 1.5 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) cathodes. Performance of the LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes (R_p ∼ 0.1 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) is found to be even superior to the performance of LSCF‐C‐GDC cathodes. High performance in LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes is attributed to its nano‐structure and absence of any interfacial insulating phase which may be attributed to the low temperature at the interaction point of LSCF and YSZ and low interaction time between LSCF and YSZ during SPPS process. In the time scale of 100 h, no change in the polarization resistances is observed at 750 °C. Based on the literature and from the present studies it can be stated that SOFC with YSZ electrolyte and LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathode can be operated at 750 °C for a longer duration of time and good performance can probably be achieved.     

Performance and stability of Ruddlesden-Popper La2NiO4+δ oxygen electrodes under solid oxide electrolysis cell operation conditions

Ruddlesden-Popper La₂NiO_4+δ (LNO) oxygen electrodes were investigated under solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) operation conditions. The electrochemical performance of LNO was measured in both solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and SOEC modes at 750 °C in air. The results suggest that LNO oxygen electrodes exhibit high electrochemical activity and the processes related to oxygen adsorption, dissociation and diffusion dominate the oxygen evolution reaction on the electrodes. Electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) measurements imply that LNO shows better oxygen surface exchange performance than conventional LSM and LSCF electrodes, because of its special crystal structure with flexible non-stoichiometric oxygen. Significant performance degradation was observed during polarization at 500 mA cm⁻² and 750 °C in the SOEC mode for 48 h. XRD and XPS results confirmed that high-order Ruddlesden-Popper La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₄Ni₃O₁₀ phases have great contributions to the performance degradation of LNO oxygen electrodes related to anodic current polarization at 500 mA cm⁻² and 750 °C.     

Decreasing the Polarization Resistance of BaCo0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3–δ Cathodes by Infiltration of Ce0.8Y0.2O2–δ

Ce_0.8Y_0.2O_2–δ (YDC) was infiltrated into a BaCo_0.7Fe_0.2Nb_0.1O_3–δ (BCFN) cathode of intermediate temperature sold oxide full cells (IT‐SOFCs) in order to decrease its cathodic polarization resistance. BCFN and YDC infiltrated BCFN electrodes were fabricated on dense Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2–δ (GDC) thin pellets to form symmetrical cells. The electrochemical impedance spectra of the symmetrical cells were investigated in this present study. Firstly, the thickness of BCFN electrodes was optimized, and controlled at 30 µm for further study. The effects of infiltrated YDC amount and firing temperature on electrode polarization resistance were studied. The symmetrical cells infiltrated with 30 μL YDC solution and fired at 900 °C exhibited the lowest electrode polarization resistance in all samples. It was suggested that infiltration of YDC resulted in more active sites and prolonged TPBs in electrodes, improving the surface oxygen exchange, and finally improved the electrode performance.     

Influence of Microstructure and Surface Activation of Dual‐Phase Membrane Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ–FeCo2O4 on Oxygen Permeation

Dual‐phase oxygen transport membranes are fast‐growing research interest for application in oxyfuel combustion process. One such potential candidate is CGO‐FCO (60 wt% Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2?δ–40 wt% FeCo₂O₄) identified to provide good oxygen permeation flux with substantial stability in harsh atmosphere. Dense CGO‐FCO membranes of 1 mm thickness were fabricated by sintering dry pellets pressed from powders synthesized by one‐pot method (modified Pechini process) at 1200°C for 10 h. Microstructure analysis indicates presence of a third orthorhombic perovskite phase in the sintered composite. It was also identified that the spinel phase tends to form an oxygen deficient phase at the grain boundary of spinel and CGO phases. Surface exchange limitation of the membranes was overcome by La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3?δ (LSCF) porous layer coating over the composite. The oxygen permeation flux of the CGO‐FCO screen printed with a porous layer of 10 μm thick LSCF is 0.11 mL/cm² per minute at 850°C with argon as sweep and air as feed gas at the rates of 50 and 250 mL/min.     

Optimisation and Evaluation of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 – δ Cathode for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this work, La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_{3 – δ}/Ce_{1 – x}Gd_xO_{2 – δ} (LSC/GDC) composite cathodes are investigated for SOFC application at intermediate temperatures, especially below 700 °C. The symmetrical cells are prepared by spraying LSC/GDC composite cathodes on a GDC tape, and the lowest polarisation resistance (R_p) of 0.11 Ω cm² at 700 °C is obtained for the cathode containing 30 wt.‐% GDC. For the application on YSZ electrolyte, symmetrical LSC cathodes are fabricated on a YSZ tape coated on a GDC interlayer. The impact of the sintering temperature on the microstructure and electrochemical properties is investigated. The optimum temperature is determined to be 950 °C; the corresponding R_p of 0.24 Ω cm² at 600 °C and 0.06 Ω cm² at 700 °C are achieved, respectively. An YSZ‐based anode‐supported solid oxide fuel cell is fabricated by employing LSC/GDC composite cathode sintered at 950 °C. The cell with an active electrode area of 4 × 4 cm² exhibits the maximum power density of 0.42 W cm^–2 at 650 °C and 0.54 W cm^–2 at 700 °C. More than 300 h operating at 650 °C is carried out for an estimate of performance and degradation of a single cell. Despite a decline at the beginning, the stable performance during the later term suggests a potential application.     

Characterization of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ + La2NiO4+δ Composite Cathode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The structure, electrical conduction, thermal expansion and electrochemical properties of the La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ + La₂NiO_4+δ (LSCF‐LNO) composite cathodes were investigated with regard to the volume fraction of the LNO composition. No chemical reaction product between the two constituent phases was found for the composite cathodes sintered at 1,400 °C for 10 h within the sensitivity of the XRD. Compared to the performance of the LSCF cathode, the LNO composition in the composite cathode plays a role in deteriorating both electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties, however, improving the thermal expansion properties. The trade‐off between electrical conducting and thermal expansion classifies the composite cathode containing 30 volume percent (vol.%) LNO as the optimum composition. For characterizing cathode performance in a single cell, a slurry spin coating technique was employed to prepare a porous cathode layer as well as a YSZ/Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_3–δ (SDC) electrolyte. The optimum conditions for fabricating the YSZ/SDC electrolyte were investigated. The resulting single cell with 70 vol.% LSCF‐30 vol.%LNO (LSCF‐LNO30) cathode shows a power density of 497 mW cm^–2 at 800 °C, which is lower than that of the cell with a LSCF cathode, but still within the limits acceptable for practical applications.     

Fabrication and Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with La0.2Sr0.7TiO3–δ as Anode Support and La2NiO4+δ as Cathode

A novel fabrication process for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with La_0.2Sr_0.7TiO_3–δ (LST_A–) as anode support and La₂NiO_4+δ (LNO) as cathode material, which avoids complicated impregnation process, is designed and investigated. The LST_A– anode‐supported half cells are reduced at 1,200 °C in hydrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, the LNO cathode is sintered on the YSZ electrolyte at 1,200 °C in nitrogen atmosphere and then annealed in situ at 850 °C in air. The results of XRD analysis and electrical conductivity measurement indicate that the structure and electrochemical characteristics of LNO appear similar before and after the sintering processes of the cathode. By using La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3–δ (LSC) as current collector, the cell with LNO cathode sintered in nitrogen atmosphere exhibits the power density at 0.7 V of 235 mW cm⁻² at 800 °C. The ohmic resistance (R_S) and polarization resistance (R_P) are 0.373 and 0.452 Ω cm², respectively. Compared to that of the cell with the LNO cathode sintered in air, the sintering processes of the cell with the LNO cathode sintered in nitrogen atmosphere can result in better electrochemical performance of the cell mainly due to the decrease in R_S. The microstructures of the cells reveal a good adhesion between each layer.     

Electrochemical Performance of Cobalt‐free Nd0.5Ba0.5Fe1–xNixO3–δ Cathode Materials for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A new series of cobalt‐free perovskite‐type oxides, Nd_0.5Ba_0.5Fe_1–xNi_xO_3–δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15), have been prepared by a citric acid‐nitrate process and investigated as cathode materials for proton conducting intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs). The conductivity of the oxides was measured at 300–800 °C in air. It is discovered that partial substitution of Ni for Fe‐sites in Nd_0.5Ba_0.5Fe_1–xNi_xO_3–δ obviously enhances the conductivity of the oxides. Among the series of oxides, the Nd_0.5Ba_0.5Fe_0.9Ni_0.1O_3–δ (NBFNi10) exhibits the highest conductivity of 140 S cm⁻¹ in air at 550 °C. A single H₂/air fuel cell with proton‐conducting BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3–δ (BZCY) electrolyte membrane (ca. 40 μm thickness) and NBFNi10‐BZCY composite cathode and NiO‐BZCY composite anode was fabricated and tested at 600–700 °C. The peak power density and the interfacial polarization resistance (R_p) of the cell are 490 mW cm⁻² and 0.15 Ω cm² at 700 °C, respectively. The experimental results indicate that NBFNi10 is a promising cathode material for the proton‐conducting IT‐SOFCs.     

Comparative study on the electrochemical performance of Sr(Ti0.3Fe0.7)O3-δ fuel electrode in different fuel gases for solid oxide electrochemical cells

Sr(Ti_1-xFe_x)O_3?δ (STF) perovskite has been developed as one of the alternatives to Nickel-base fuel electrodes for solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs) that can provide good tolerance to redox cycling and fuel impurities. Recent results on STF fuel electrodes present excellent electrochemical performance and outstand stability both under H₂ fuel cell mode and H₂O electrolysis mode, however, the electrochemical characteristics in other fuel gases, such as CO, CO–H₂ mixture, CH₄, and CO–CO₂ mixture have not been investigated. Herein, we report the electrochemical performance of Sr(Ti_0.3Fe_0.7)O_3?δ fuel electrode on La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3?δ-Zr_0.92Y_0.16O_2?δ (LSM-YSZ) oxygen electrode supported SOCs with thin YSZ electrolyte using different fuel gases. At 800 °C, the peak power density slightly decreased from 0.9 W/cm² in wet H₂ to 0.68 W/cm² in wet CO under fuel cell mode. However, the cell only showed a peak power density of 0.27 W/cm² at 800 °C in wet CH₄, reaching 0.75 W/cm² at 850 °C, when the open-circuit voltage increased from 0.9 V to 1.02 V. STF fuel electrode exhibited much worse CO₂ electrolysis performance than steam electrolysis, especially in high CO₂ concentration due to the increased ohmic resistance and electrode polarization resistance.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of BaFe1−xCuxO3−δ Perovskite Oxide for IT‐SOFC Cathode

A series of iron‐based perovskite oxides BaFe_1−xCu_xO_3−δ (x = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25, abbreviated as BFC‐10, BFC‐15, BFC‐20 and BFC‐25, respectively) as cathode materials have been prepared via a combined EDTA‐citrate complexing sol‐gel method. The effects of Cu contents on the crystal structure, chemical stability, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and electrochemical properties of BFC‐x materials have been studied. All the BFC‐x samples exhibit the cubic phase with a space group Pm3m (221). The electrical conductivity decreases with increasing Cu content. The maximum electrical conductivity is 60.9 ± 0.9 S cm⁻¹ for BFC‐20 at 600 °C. Substitution of Fe by Cu increases the thermal expansion coefficient. The average TEC increases from 20.6 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for BFC‐10 to 23.7 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for BFC‐25 at the temperature range of 30–850 °C. Among the samples, BFC‐20 shows the best electrochemical performance. The area specific resistance (ASR) of BFC‐20 on SDC electrolyte is 0.014 Ω cm² at 800 °C. The single fuel cell with the configguration of BFC‐20/SDC/NiO‐SDC delivers the highest power density of 0.57 W cm⁻² at 800 °C. The favorable electrochemical activities can be attributed to the cubic lattice structure and the high oxygen vacancy concentration caused by Cu doping.     

Effect of Fe Doping on Layered GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ Perovskite Cathodes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Layered perovskite cathode materials have received considerable attention for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs) because of their fast oxygen ion diffusion through pore channels and high catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at low temperatures. In this study, we have investigated the effects of Fe substitution for the Co site on electrical and electrochemical properties of a layered perovskite, GdBa_0.5Sr_0.5Co_2?xFe_xO_5+δ (x = 0, 0.5, and 1.0), as a cathode material for IT‐SOFCs. Furthermore, electrochemical properties of GdBa_0.5Sr_0.5CoFeO_5+δ–yGDC (y = 0, 20, 40, and 50 wt%) cathodes were evaluated to determine the optimized cell performance. At a given temperature, the electrical conductivity and the area‐specific resistances (ASRs) of GdBa_0.5Sr_0.5Co_2?x Fe_xO_5+δ decrease with Fe content. The lowest ASR of 0.067 Ω·cm² was obtained at 873 K for the GdBa_0.5Sr_0.5CoFeO_5+δ. The GdBa_0.5Sr_0.5CoFeO_5 + δ composite with 40 wt% GDC was identified as an optimum cathode material, showing the highest maximum power density (1.31 W/cm²) at 873 K, and other samples also showed high power density over 1.00 W/cm².     

Electrochemical Performance of MnO2‐based Air Cathodes for Zinc‐air Batteries

This paper compares the oxygen reduction on four MnO₂‐based air cathodes assembled in home‐made electrochemical cells, with some particular observations on α‐MnO₂ cathode. The results show that the catalytic activity decreases in the following order: electrolytic MnO₂ (EMD) > natural MnO₂ (NMD) > β‐MnO₂ > α‐MnO₂. The maximum power density of the zinc‐air battery with EMD as the catalyst reaches up to 141.8 mW cm⁻² at the current density of 222.5 mA cm⁻², which is about 60%, 20% and 10% higher than that of α‐MnO₂ (90.0 mW cm⁻² at 120.3 mA cm⁻²), β‐MnO₂ (121.5 mW cm⁻² at 150.4 mA cm⁻²) and NMD (128.2 mW cm⁻² at 207.8 mA cm⁻²), respectively. It is believed that its unique crystal structure and biggest BET surface area make EMD have the smallest charge transfer resistance (R_ct), thus EMD has the highest activity.     

Degradation of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ–Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 Cathodes on Coated and Uncoated Porous Metal Supports

The degradation of composite LSCF‐SDC cathodes on porous 430 stainless steel supports was investigated. Two degradation mechanisms were observed: a multi‐layer oxide scale, believed to consist of Cr₂O₃ and SrCrO₄, formed at the support‐cathode interface, and small amounts of chromium were detected within the cathodes. To reduce degradation, La₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ reactive element oxide coatings were deposited on the internal pore surfaces of the metal supports. The reactive element oxide coatings reduced the amount of volatile chromium that deposited in the cathodes. As a result, the degradation rates of the cathodes on coated supports were significantly lower than the degradation rates of cathodes made on uncoated metal supports. In cathode symmetrical cells, polarization resistance degradation rates as low as 2.56 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm² h⁻¹ were observed over 100 hours on coated metal supports, compared to an average of 1.23 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm² h⁻¹ on uncoated supports.     

A redox−reversible perovskite electrode for CeO2− and LaGaO3−based symmetric solid oxide fuel cells

Perovskite oxide SrFe_0.9Mo_0.1O_3?δ (SFM) was evaluated as the electrode for symmetric solid oxide fuel cells (S–SOFCs) with Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2?δ (SDC) and La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3?δ (LSGM) electrolytes. Under reducing conditions at 800 °C, the SFM was reduced to be a multi-phase composite consisting of the single perovskite phase, Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) layered perovskite phase, and Fe⁰ phase. After reoxidation at 800 °C in air, this multi?phase system was again transformed into the parent perovskite phase again, indicating good redox reversibility of the SFM. At 700 °C, polarisation resistances of the SFM used as the cathodes on the LSGM and SDC electrolytes were 0.28 and 0.14 Ω cm², respectively, in air. Using H₂ as a fuel, the LSGM and SDC supported S–SOFCs with the SFM symmetric electrodes showed the peak power outputs of 253 and 269 mW cm^?2, respectively, at 700 °C. Finally, the good long-term stability and redox-cycling stability of the S–SOFCs further demonstrate the potential of the SFM as the symmetric electrode.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of polyaniline/α‐RuCl3.xH2O composites for supercapacitor

Polyaniline/α‐RuCl₃.xH₂O composites were successfully synthesized by an in‐situ chemical polymerization and employed as new electrode materials in supercapacitors. The synthesized composites were characterized physically by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The electrochemical capacitance performance of these composites was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge tests and AC impedance spectroscopy with a three‐electrode system in 1 mol l⁻¹ NaNO₃ aqueous solution electrolyte. The polyaniline/α‐RuCl₃.xH₂O composites electrodes showed much higher specific capacitance, better power characteristics and were more promising for application in capacitor than pure polyaniline electrode. The effect and role of α‐RuCl₃.xH₂O in the composite electrode were also discussed in detail. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:2142–2147, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Cobalt-free SrFe1−xMoxO3-δ perovskite hollow fiber membranes for oxygen separation

SrFe_0.95Mo_0.05O_3-δ (SFM5) perovskite hollow fiber (HF) membranes with a finger-like structure were fabricated by a phase inversion technique. The oxygen flux through SFM5 hollow fiber membrane was evaluated and reached 0.64 μmol/cm² *s at T = 880 °C, which is 5 times higher than that of a disk SFM5 membrane (0.12 μmol/cm² *s). A further increase in oxygen fluxes was attained by Ag deposition on the inner surface of SFM5 hollow fiber membrane. The oxygen flux of SFM5 HF membranes is governed by surface-exchange reactions on the permeate side. The equilibrium "3 − δ − lg pO₂ − T" diagrams showed that doping of SF by molybdenum leads to a broadening of the cubic perovskite phase stability region.     

The Effect of Plasma Spraying Power on La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ–La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3–δ Composite Cathode Interlayer Microstructure and Cell Performance

The metal‐supported intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells with a porous nickel substrate, a nano‐structured LDC (Ce_0.55La_0.45O_2–δ)–Ni composite anode, an LDC diffusion barrier layer, an LSGM (La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3–δ) electrolyte, an LSCF (La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ)–LSGM composite cathode interlayer and an LSCF cathode current collector are fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying. Four different plasma spraying powers of 26, 28, 30, and 34 kW are used to fabricate the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayers. Each cell with a prepared LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer has been post‐heat treated at 960 °C for 2 h in air with an applied pressure of 450 g cm^–2. The current‐voltage‐power and AC impedance measurements indicate that the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer formed at 28 kW plasma spraying power has the best power performance and the smallest polarization resistance at temperatures from 600 to 800 °C. The microstructure of the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer shows to be less dense and composed of smaller dense regions as the plasma spraying power decreases to 28 kW. The durability test of the cell with an optimized LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer gives a degradation rate of 1.1% kh^–1 at the 0.3 A cm^–2 constant current density and 750 °C test temperature.     

Preparation of CuMn2O4/Ti3C2 MXene composite electrodes for supercapacitors with high energy density and study on their charge transfer kinetics

In this study, we present a novel electrode material that combines Ti₃C₂ MXene and high-capacity CuMn₂O₄ to increase the energy density of supercapacitors, which are a popular choice for energy storage due to their high-performance potential. The electrode material was synthesized using the hydrothermal method with varying deposition times (3 h, 6 h and 9 h), and the resulting composite materials were characterized using advanced analytical techniques. The CuMn₂O₄/MXene composite electrode synthesized at 3h exhibited exceptional performance, with a specific capacitance of 628 mF/cm² at 4 mA/cm², due to the enhanced electrical conductivity and charge storage properties of CuMn₂O₄ and MXene sheets. We also uncovered an intricate charge transfer mechanism and storage kinetics of CuMn₂O₄/MXene composite on a nickel foam electrode, revealing a diffusion-controlled energy storage mechanism with fast mass transportation. To demonstrate practicality, we constructed an asymmetric coin cell supercapacitor device using CuMn₂O₄/MXene composite synthesized at 3h and activated carbon as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The device showed a specific capacitance of 496 mF/cm² at 6 mA/cm² with cyclic stability of 80% for up to 10,000 cycles, and a power density of 1.5 mW/cm² at a higher energy density of 0.073 mWh/cm². Our results demonstrate the potential to significantly advance the development of high-performance supercapacitors by combining Ti₃C₂ MXene and high-capacity oxides, refining the synthesis process, and exploring innovative electrode architectures.