Synthesis of dumbbell-shaped ZnO nanostructures for energy storage and photocatalytic dye degradation applications

Abstract

In this present work, a dumbbell-shaped ZnO nanostructure was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method through optimized hydrothermal temperature (200°C). The XRD showed the formation of the hexagonal crystalline structure with high-phase purity. The FE-SEM images of ZnO prepared at a hydrothermal temperature of 200°C exhibits a well-defined, monodispersed dumbbell-shaped morphology. The chemical surface states were investigated using XPS. The prepared ZnO-based anode material was tested using a 1M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte with a three-electrode cell configuration. The ZnO 200°C electrode materials delivered a high specific capacitance of 316 F/g at 1 A/ and columbic efficiency of 96% and capacitance retention of 92% after 10,000 cycles at the current density of 10 A/g. Due to its inherent properties, the maximum degradation efficiency of 91% for 180 min was obtained from a dumbbell-shaped ZnO (200°C) sample. The ZnO nanostructured materials suggest potential applications for supercapacitors and textile wastewater treatments.