Three-dimensional porous carbon-supported Co/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles derived from carboxymethyl cellulose for enhanced supercapacitor electrodes.

The exploration of new high-performance, low-cost, and eco-friendly electrode materials is crucial for improving electrochemical performance. In this research, a three-dimensional interconnected porous composite electrode is synthesized, comprising bimetallic oxide of CoFe 2 O 4 and Co 3 Fe 7 alloy with porous carbon derived from carboxymethyl cellulose (CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C), through a straightforward high-temperature annealing process. Various characterizations are conducted on the CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C composites. The incorporation of CoFe 2 O 4 and Co 3 Fe 7 nanoparticles into the CMC-derived porous carbon enhances electron conduction pathways and reduces internal electrode resistance, resulting in outstanding electrochemical performance. When the CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C composite is carbonized at 700 °C with a current density of 0.5 A g−1, its specific capacitance reaches 3405.25 F g−1. At a power density of 321.44 W kg−1, an asymmetric supercapacitor with activated carbon as the positive and negative electrode and CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C-700 as the positive electrode has a maximum energy density of 187.59 Wh kg−1. Moreover, after 10,000 cycles, the composite shows 90.05 % cycling stability. This study paves the way for innovation in energy storage technology. • Multi-component electrodes of CMC-derived porous carbon loaded with CoFe 2 O 4 and Co 3 Fe 7 nanoparticles have been investigated. • The optimized CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C-700 shows a high specific capacity of 3405.25 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1. • The CoFe 2 O 4 -Co 3 Fe 7 @C-700//AC device delivers an energy density of 187.59 W h kg−1 at 321.44 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]