Direct Synthesis Carbon/Metal Oxide Composites for Electrochemical Capacitors Electrode

This paper deals with the study of the carbon/metal oxide composites synthesis for electrochemical capacitor electrode material. Transition metal salts, such as FeCl3 and TiCl3 act as activator in the synthesis of activated carbon from gelam wood sawdust (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) which also have the functions as substrates for the composites. The surface functionalities of activated carbons were modified using oxidative treatments. The changes on crystallography and surface functionalities were analyzed based on XRD and FTIR data. The electrical conductivities and electrochemical properties were determined using kelvin and cyclic voltammetry methods, respectively. FTIR analyses showed that the activation and oxidation treatments affected their surface functionalities. The XRD analyses showed that oxidative treatments also affected carbons crystallite. The electrical conductivities and electrochemical properties were influenced by their crystallite and surface functionalities. The shape of the cyclic voltammograms varied according to the changes on the surface functionalities and on the metals loading. TEM analyses indicated the existence of nanoparticles metal oxides in the carbon samples.