Enhanced energy density of high entropy alloy (Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Mn) and green
graphene hybrid supercapacitor
Abstract
Given the growing demand for new materials for supercapacitor
applications, high entropy alloys (HEAs) are being extensively
investigated. They are an efficient alternative to existing energy
sources due to their synergistic contribution from individual element.
We demonstrate the development of nanostructured HEA (FeCoNiCuMn) as a
cathode material with specific capacitance (C s) of
~388 F g -1 (5 mV s
-1). As anode material, green graphene (rice straw
biochar) synthesized using pyrolysis shows a maximum C s
of ~560 F g -1 at similar scan rate (5
mV s -1). A hybrid asymmetric liquid state device was
assembled using the FeCoNiCuMn nanostructured HEA and green graphene as
electrodes. Utilizing the green source, the device provided a high C
s of 83.22 F g -1 at 2 A g
-1. The specific energy of the device was 33.4 Wh kg
-1 and specific power of 1.7 kW kg
-1. The electrochemical behavior of each element in
the high entropy composition was studied through post X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopic analysis.
The chemical behavior of FeCoNiCuMn is further investigated using DFT
studies. The enhanced electrochemical properties and synergistic
contribution of each element of the HEA is studied via of d-band
theory. The current work can be utilized to develop asymmetric hybrid
supercapacitors as environmental friendly energy source.