Exploration of Electrochemical Energy Storage Potential of PANI Functionalized CNTs/Zn-Co(PO4)2 Nanocomposites Synthesized Via a Facile Ultrasounds-Assisted Chemical Method

Electrochemical performance of supercapacitors (SCs) is greatly affected by different factors like cyclic stability, exposed surface area, rate capability and electrical conductivity. Highly conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with pseudocapacitive polyaniline (PANI) via in -situ polymerization can intrude conductivity, cyclic stability when used in combination with zinc cobalt phosphate (ZCP). So, in this study, Zn0.25 Co0.75 (PO4)2-PANI/CNTs nanocomposites have been synthesized by sonochemical approach. The hierarchical morphology of the nanocomposite has been evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Whereas the compositional analysis and chemical grafting of ZCP on PANI/CNTs were analyzed by EDX, XRD, and FT -IR spectroscopy. Zn0.25Co0.75 (PO4)2-40 mg PANI/CNTs (ZCP40) outperformed among all compositions and presented good specific capacity of 776 Cg -1 (1410.9 Fg-1) at 0.8 Ag -1 current density. Representative asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device of ZCP40// AC presented excellent energy density of 88.5 Wh Kg- 1 at an exceptional power density of 900 W Kg -1. Furthermore, device showed good cyclic behavior (99.7 % after 5000 GCD cycles) and, excellent coulombic efficiency (100.11 %) even after 5000 GCD cycles. Overall, the device showed hybrid behavior (72.3 % diffusive and 27.7 % capacitive) due to the highly pseudocapacitive nature of ZCP, PANI and, effective conductive nature of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Hence ZCP/PANI functionalized CNTs nanocomposites has shown very good potential to be used as +ve electrode material in energy storage devices.