Exploring an electrodeposited cobalt-based coordination polymer for the advancement of supercapacitor performance

Abstract

We investigate an electrodeposited cobalt and tartaric acid-based coordination polymer for application as an electrode in a supercapacitor device. We investigated the influence of tartaric acid on the feasibility of electrodeposition, focusing on the applied potential, crystallinity of the prepared electrodes, and their subsequent effects on the adhesion between the catalyst and the substrate. Detailed characterization confirms the formation of cobalt oxide coordinated with tartaric acid with an amorphous nature. The electrochemical assessment conducted in an alkaline medium revealed a notable specific capacitance of 311 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 10 mV s⁻¹. Long-term cycling tests show 99% capacity retention over the first 1000 cycles and over 79.2% retention after 20 000 cycles. This work presents a cost-effective, scalable approach for designing organic–inorganic hybrid electrode materials and offers a promising pathway towards the development of a hybrid supercapacitor.