Surface Engineering of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Electrodes via In Situ Carbon Incorporation for Enhanced Supercapacitance

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an attractive electrode material for supercapacitors due to its high surface area, good chemical stability, and relatively low cost although poor conductivity remains major limiting factor. This can limit the rate at which charges can be stored and released in the electrode, affecting the overall performance of the supercapacitors. Herein we have incorporated carbon in one of the practical ways to explore the potential of TiO2 as the capacitance of an supercapacitors is directly related to the surface area. The electrochemically fabricated titanium dioxide nanotubes infused with carbon have enhanced surface area improve performance due to their exceptional ability to store charge and conduct electricity like a metal. At the nanoscale, incorporating carbon dopants into a crystal lattice of titanium dioxide by ultrathin coating on the surface improves its characteristics significantly. The meticulous control of dopant concentration within the TiO2 lattice enables precise adjustment of carrier density. A comprehensive characterization using XRD, HRSEM, HRTEM, Raman, and XPS techniques was employed to elucidate the influence of carbon dopants on the TiO2 lattice structure. Contact angle measurement was recorded to understand the wettability of electrode material at different system. At a scan rate of 0.1mA/cm2, the electrode examined in 1M HCl had a stunning areal capacitance of 21.125 mFcm-2. Following electrochemical characterization, surface studies has been conducted to understand comprehensive view of electrode’s functionality and structural availability. The investigation reveals the promising application of carbon-coated samples as high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors.