Structural and Electrochemical Characterization of Na2CO3/ γ- Al2O3 Electrodes for Supercapacitor

Authors

• Wiwin Dwiana, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow
• Jeniva Dinta Nanda Fahreza, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow
• Anissa Chairani Alfin Nadhira, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow
• Fatimatuz Zahra, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow
• Erma Surya Yuliana, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow
• Muhammad Safwan Abd Aziz, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaFollow
• Nandang Mufti, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

The development of electrode materials with suitable structural and surface properties is crucial for improving electrochemical energy storage systems. Gamma alumina (𝛾-Al₂O₃) has attracted considerable interest in electrochemical research due to its unique structural and surface properties. However, its charge-storage capacity is still limited, highlighting the need for structural and compositional modifications to improve its electrochemical performance. In this study, Na₂CO₃ was introduced into 𝛾-Al₂O₃ as a sodium precursor to induce phase modification and enhance the electrochemical activity. The systematic incorporation of Na₂CO₃ also provides an opportunity to elucidate the relationship between compositional changes, structural evolution, and electrochemical response. 𝛾-Al₂O₃ was modified with different Na₂CO₃ contents (0, 10, 20, and 30%) through a solution-based mixing method. XRD results indicate that Na₂CO₃ addition affects the γ-Al₂O₃ structure and promotes the formation of a secondary NaAlO₂ phase. SEM analysis reveals an increase in particle size and porosity with increasing Na₂CO₃ concentration, with porosity increasing from 42.37% to 48.38%. The CV profiles exhibit quasi-rectangular characteristics, indicating a pseudocapacitive contribution arising from redox reactions occurring at the electrode surface. Increasing Na₂CO₃ concentration also reduces the R_s and R_ct, reaching 13.37 Ω and 49.67 Ω, respectively, at 30% Na₂CO₃. GCD measurements show that the specific capacitance increases from 2.737 to 7.844 F g^-1, while the energy density and power density reach 1.151 Wh kg^-1 and 27.045 W kg^-1, respectively. Among the compositions studied, the electrode with 30% Na₂CO₃/ -Al₂O₃ showed the improvement in electrochemical properties.

Publisher

State University of Malang (UM)

First Page

293

Last Page

304

Recommended Citation

Dwiana, W., Fahreza, J. D., Nadhira, A. C., Zahra, F., Yuliana, E. S., Aziz, M. S., & Mufti, N. (2026). Structural and Electrochemical Characterization of Na2CO3/ γ- Al2O3 Electrodes for Supercapacitor. Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST), 10(2), 293-304.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17977/2580-2402.1280
Available at: https://citeus.um.ac.id/jmest/vol10/iss2/5