Development of LiCr0.15Co0.85O2 nanowires by electrospinning method as a cathode for asymmetric supercapacitors

LiCr_0.15Co_0.85O₂ nanowires were prepared successfully by electrospinning technique at the calcination temperature of 500°C for 6 hours. The average diameter of the nanowires was 45 nm. The phase transformation, crystallite structure and morphology of the prepared LiCr_0.15Co_0.85O₂ nanowires were studied using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction / FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis, respectively. The crystalline phase of the sample was identified as a single phase with α-NaFeO₂ type structure and the peaks were indexed to the hexagonal system assuming the R3̅m symmetry.The electrochemical behavior of the prepared LiCr_0.15Co_0.85O₂ nanowires based electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and AC-impedance studies. The electrochemical measurements provided a maximum specific capacitance of 77.7 Fg^-1 with a resistivity of 4.5Ω. Finally, the asymmetric supercapacitor cell AC// LiCr_0.15Co_0.85O₂ was fabricated and its specific discharge capacitance, energy density and power density were determined are found to be 72.3 Fg^-1, 256.2 Wkg^-1 and 183.5 Wh kg^-1, respectively. The cell has good cycling stability and retaining 94 % of its initial charge even after 1000 cycles. It revealed that the prepared LiCr_0.15Co_0.85O₂ nanowires could be used as an effective electrode material for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors.