Electrochemical Potential and Characterization of NiFe₂O₄/Cu-1 and NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2

Abstract

Ferrite-based materials have been studied for the electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their low cost and rapid, reversible surface Faradaic reactions. In this study, we have developed two electrode materials named NiFe₂O₄/Cu-1 and NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2. The fabrication method was found to be inexpensive, effective, and efficient. The synthesized materials were analyzed via FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM methods. FTIR results indicated the presence of O-H, C-H, C-O, Ni-Fe, Fe-Cu, Cu-O, etc. bonds on the surface of these materials. The XRD patterns indicated the amorphous nature of NiFe₂O₄ and the semi-crystalline nature of NiFe₂O₄/Cu-1 and NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2. The SEM analysis indicated that the particles are semi-spherical, and some are irregular in NiFe₂O₄. The sphere-shaped particles were observed in the case of NiFe₂O₄/Cu-1 and NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2, respectively. The electrochemical study has been conducted using different electrochemical parameters. The NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2 exhibited a power density of 4992 W/kg, an energy density of 5.9 Wh/kg, a retention of 91.3%, and a specific capacitance of 222 F/g. It was additionally found that the NiFe₂O₄/Cu-2 was appropriate for device systems with a 42 F/g specific capacitance (under a 2-electrode system).