Fabrication of WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC Hybrids by the Radiation Method for Enhanced Performance Supercapacitors

In this study, we described a facile process for the fabrication of tungsten oxide dihydrate/bamboo charcoal hybrids (WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC) by the γ-irradiation method. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC hybrids were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The combination of BC (electrical double layer charge) and WO(3)·2H(2)O (pseudocapacitance) created a combined effect, which enhanced the specific capacitance and superior cyclic stability of the WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC hybrid electrode. The WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC hybrids showed the higher specific capacitance (391 F g(−1) at 0.5 A g(−1) over the voltage range from −1 to 0 V), compared with BC (108 F g(−1)) in 6 M KOH solution. Furthermore, the hybrid electrode showed superior long-term performance with 82% capacitance retention even after 10,000 cycles. The experimental results demonstrated that the high performance of WO(3)·2H(2)O/BC hybrids could be a potential electrode material for supercapacitors.