Abstract
Vanadium, known for its low cost, multiple valencies, and exceptional theoretical capacitance (pseudo-capacitance), has been investigated for energy applications. Activated carbon (AC) with its conductive and absorptive properties (EDLC behavior), is a well-established material. The composites synthesized from vanadium and derived ACs from various biomass sources have been reported in the literature. This paper also reports the synthesis of VO(2) nanomorphology on coconut shell-derived activated carbon using a hydrothermal method. SEM and TEM images indicated the VO(2) nanorods grown around AC micro-sized particles and fully interacting with each other. A sample containing more activated charcoal exhibited 545.56 F g(-1) specific capacity at 0.6 A g(-1) current density, which is 8% higher than the sample with less activated charcoal, and it also demonstrated negligible charge transfer resistance. The calculated b value confirmed the mechanism of charge storage. Vanadium has also insulin-enhancing properties for humans; therefore, the synthesized composites were also tested for anti-microbial activity. The results showed that it demonstrated bactericidal activity by inhibiting respiration and damaging the cellular components.