Dr. Xin Chen, Professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, China.

Speech Title: Preparation of hollow cubic Cu₇S₄, Cu₇S₄/NiS and nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications

Abstract: Cu₇S₄ and Cu₇S₄/NiS hollow cubic nanoparticles were designed and synthesized with hydrothermal methods. XRD, SEM and TEM characterizations were made to confirm the nanoparticle structures. These particles were tested with a three electrode system for supercapacitor electrode performances. The Cu₇S₄ particles showed a specific capacitance of 275 F/g under 1 A/g current density, while the Cu₇S₄/NiS particles exhibited a highest specific capacitance of over 1200 F/g under 1 A/g. Activated carbon (AC) materials were also prepared for supercapacitor applications. E.g., platanus leaf-based activated carbon (PLAC) was synthesized using dry platanus leaves as raw materials, which showed a specific capacitance of 266 F/g under 1 A/g current density. The AC materials were then mixed with Cu₇S₄/NiS to make nano composite electrode materials. The Cu₇S₄/NiS/AC electrode materials exhibited specific capacitances that are comparable with that of Cu₇S₄/NiS. These electrode materials have good capacitance retention properties after 1000 testing cycles, and demonstrated good potentials for being used as high capacitance and highly stable electrode materials in supercapacitor devices.