Effect of microstructural evolution of natural kaolinite due to MWCNT doping: a futuristic ‘green electrode’ for energy harvesting applications

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2022-06, Vol.33 (17), p.13826-13842
• Main Authors: Mondal, Dhananjoy, Roy, Shubham, Bardhan, Souravi, Das, Ratnottam, Maity, Anupam, Chanda, Dipak Kr, Das, Solanky, Ghosh, Saheli, Basu, Ruma, Das, Sukhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Clay; Clean energy; Doping; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Energy harvesting; Fourier transforms; Kaolinite; Materials Science; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanocomposites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Room temperature; Stability analysis; Surface properties; Thermal stability; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-08314-6

This study reports the development of natural kaolinite clay-based biocompatible electrode material, which can be a potential alternative for commercial electrodes. The nano-clay has been modified by intercalating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) at different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% w/w ratio). Initially, the doping-dependent microstructural alterations of the nanocomposites were determined by the Rietveld refinement technique. Some other features like purity, morphology, surface characteristics, etc. of the nanocomposites have been estimated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron microscopy, zeta potential, and BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) techniques. Moreover, the thermal stability of this system has been assessed, which shows temperature stability up to 500 ºC. This is probably the first report of making an efficient electrode material from MWCNT modified natural kaolinite having an electrical permittivity of 3850 and an ac conductivity of 10 −4 S/m at room temperature. Additionally, the high specific capacitance of the modified clay (22.4 F/g) suggests the efficiency of the material as an electrode. The cyclic voltammogram data suggests the presence of redox relaxations, making the modified clays suitable candidates for electrode application. This type of natural clay-mediated biocompatible electrode material could be a promising alternative for low-cost energy harvesting devices.