Metastable wurtzite CuInS2@C3N4 for supercapacitor application

Abstract

Heavy metal free ternary CuInS₂ nano crystals with metastable wurtzite phase hold great potential for the application like photocatalysis due to its anisotropic crystal structure. Nonetheless, research on their ability to store energy has not yet been reported. In this study hexagonal wurtzite CuInS₂ with snow-flake like morphology is synthesized using ethylenediamine as a solvent and chelating agent. A composite with conducting graphitic carbon nitride is carried out to improve its stability and electronic property. Various characterization techniques like XRD, Raman, SEM and TEM confirm the single phase formation with a snow-flake like morphology. The supercapacitor performance of the 3 % g-C₃N₄ composite examined using CV, GCD and impedance spectroscopy revealed a remarkable specific capacitance of 284 F/g at 1 A/g current density with a nearly 100 % retention of columbic efficiency even after 1000 continuous charge discharge cycles.