Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors

The growing demand for renewable energy has ignited an interest in novel materials to improve the efficiency of energy storage. This study introduces a straightforward hydrothermal technique to synthesize the pristine ZnS, Bi2Se3, and their composite ZnS–Bi2Se3, which is intended as a high-performan...

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Main Authors: Syed Awais Ahmad, Muhammad Arif, Iftikhar Hussain, Yingkai Liu, Weibin Zhang, Ting Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-05-01
Series:APL Materials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265964
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author Syed Awais Ahmad
Muhammad Arif
Iftikhar Hussain
Yingkai Liu
Weibin Zhang
Ting Zhu
author_facet Syed Awais Ahmad
Muhammad Arif
Iftikhar Hussain
Yingkai Liu
Weibin Zhang
Ting Zhu
author_sort Syed Awais Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description The growing demand for renewable energy has ignited an interest in novel materials to improve the efficiency of energy storage. This study introduces a straightforward hydrothermal technique to synthesize the pristine ZnS, Bi2Se3, and their composite ZnS–Bi2Se3, which is intended as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors. We evaluate the as-synthesized materials for their structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties for a better understanding of the charge storage mechanisms. The ZnS–Bi2Se3 composite exhibits high electrochemical activity and chemical stability, owing to a high specific capacitance of 745 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor with the ZnS–Bi2Se3||activated carbon configuration delivers a remarkable energy density of 56.66 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 4990.90 W kg−1. Density functional theory calculations further elucidate these results, showing optimized work function, total density of states, and atomic structure, which enhance the composite’s electronic conductivity and charge transfer capabilities. Based on these findings, metal sulfide–selenide composites may be economically feasible choices for the high-performance electrochemical storage of energy.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2166-532X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher AIP Publishing LLC
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series APL Materials
spelling doaj-art-36b71ebaec0e4bf9a6b9a1953797ea492025-08-20T03:37:02ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Materials2166-532X2025-05-01135051107051107-1410.1063/5.0265964Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitorsSyed Awais Ahmad0Muhammad Arif1Iftikhar Hussain2Yingkai Liu3Weibin Zhang4Ting Zhu5Yunnan Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology, School of Physics and Electronics Information, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology, School of Physics and Electronics Information, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SARYunnan Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology, School of Physics and Electronics Information, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology, School of Physics and Electronics Information, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology, School of Physics and Electronics Information, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaThe growing demand for renewable energy has ignited an interest in novel materials to improve the efficiency of energy storage. This study introduces a straightforward hydrothermal technique to synthesize the pristine ZnS, Bi2Se3, and their composite ZnS–Bi2Se3, which is intended as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors. We evaluate the as-synthesized materials for their structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties for a better understanding of the charge storage mechanisms. The ZnS–Bi2Se3 composite exhibits high electrochemical activity and chemical stability, owing to a high specific capacitance of 745 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor with the ZnS–Bi2Se3||activated carbon configuration delivers a remarkable energy density of 56.66 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 4990.90 W kg−1. Density functional theory calculations further elucidate these results, showing optimized work function, total density of states, and atomic structure, which enhance the composite’s electronic conductivity and charge transfer capabilities. Based on these findings, metal sulfide–selenide composites may be economically feasible choices for the high-performance electrochemical storage of energy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265964
spellingShingle Syed Awais Ahmad
Muhammad Arif
Iftikhar Hussain
Yingkai Liu
Weibin Zhang
Ting Zhu
Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
APL Materials
title Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
title_full Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
title_fullStr Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
title_full_unstemmed Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
title_short Integrating ZnS microspheres with Bi2Se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
title_sort integrating zns microspheres with bi2se3 sponge ball structures to realize high energy density with good stability for supercapacitors
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265964
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