IMPROVING THE FABRICATION OF ZINC OXIDE THIN FILMS DOPED WITH SILVER AS ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR SUPERCAPACITORS

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of thin film materials for low energy density devices, specifically supercapacitors, with a focus on silver-doped zinc oxide as an electrode material. The electrodeposition technique was used to synthesize the composite material, and UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to analyze its optical properties. The results showed that the doping of ZnO thin films with Ag created a composite material with enhanced optical transmission, indicating an increase in efficiency. The Ag acted as a p-type dopant of ZnO, making it ideal for the production of low energy density devices like supercapacitors.

This research is significant in improving the fabrication of electrode materials for supercapacitor applications, which are crucial for the efficient, reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly storage of energy. The study contributes to the development of ZnO-based electronics, which has been challenging due to the formation of p-type material and rectifying junctions. However, the use of Ag as an amphoteric dopant has yielded an acceptor state for substitution on the Zn site and a donor state for interstitial defects. The investigation of optical properties such as reflectivity, transmission, absorption, and optical energy gap of solids will further advance the development of supercapacitor energy storage systems.