Characterization and Super-Capacitive Properties of Nanocrystalline Copper Ferrite Prepared Via Green and Chemical Methods

A comparison was made between the structure and electrochemical properties of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by five different preparation methods, involving the co-precipitation, green sol-gel, green hydrothermal, auto-combustion, and microwave. The obtained ferrites were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, BET, SEM, and TEM techniques. A spinel crystal structure was observed for all samples with morphological structures, surface textural properties, and particle sizes hanging on the synthesis process and set in the range of 12-45 nm. The sample prepared in the presence of gelatin shows well-dispersed nanosphere particles. The electrochemical properties of obtained ferrites were studied using cyclic voltammetry, charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The as-synthesized CuFe2O4 (Cugg) sample acts as excellent electrode material in supercapacitor with a high specific capacitance of 145F g(-1), an energy density of 18.9 Wh kg(-1), and a power density of 486 Wkg(-1) at 1 Ag-1 and good retention value of 90.2% after 1000 cycles at 1Ag(-1).