Design of zinc-doped copper ferrite nanostructures using microwave combustion process and its supercapacitive features

Rapidly increasing demand for electrical energy due to unprecedented growth of electronic gadgets urges the research on developing innovative electrode materials for new age batteries and supercapacitors (SCs). Among various electrode materials for SCs, copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) is a cost-effective compound to make electrode materials for SC application owing to its expansive multifunctional physical and electrical properties. The nanoparticles of Cu_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 1, 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5) were synthesized via a facile and effective microwave combustion route. The effective inclusion of zinc on the surface morphology, size of the nanoparticles, elemental compositions, crystalline nature, and electrochemical properties of Cu_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (x = 1, 0.9, 0.7, and 0.5) were examined by different analytical techniques. The electrochemical investigations reveal the highest specific capacitance of 1250 F g⁻¹ for Cu_0.9Zn_0.1Fe₂O₄ which is 100% more than the bare copper ferrite. In addition, supercapacitor device in the form of an asymmetric type has been assembled with an aid of Cu_0.9Zn_0.1Fe₂O₄ electrodes, and an electrochemical performance of the same was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The assembled device delivered an energy density of 188.75 W h kg⁻¹ and a power density of 1249 W kg⁻¹. The simple and cost-effective preparation procedure of Cu_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ with efficient electrochemical features increases the possibility of this material to be a promising electrode for supercapacitor.