Fabrication of nanocomposite electrode based on Bi_{4 -x}Nd_xTi₃O₁₂ perovskite supported by silicon microchannel plates for high performance electrochemical capacitors

A novel self-standing Bi_{4 -x}Nd_xTi₃O₁₂ electrodes structure based on the three dimensional silicon microchannel plates (Si-MCP) is proposed for electrochemical capacitors. In order to decrease electron transfer barrier and contact resistance, the Ni/Si-MCP compound materials were synthesized as current collectors by electroless plating. The Bi_{4 -x}Nd_xTi₃O₁₂ perovskite were distributed on the channel of Ni/Si-MCP compound structure by sol-gel techniques. The morphology and microstructure of as-synthesized mesoporous Bi_{4 -x}Nd_xTi₃O₁₂ (BNT) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrodes have not only excellent capacitive performances, but also superior electrochemical stability. Owing to the formation of thin film morphology, porous structure, ordered channel and the intimate contact between the electroactive material and the current collector, the BNT/Ni/Si-MCP electrodes provide an enhancement of the kinetics by short transport/diffusion path lengths, timely accompanying of electrolyte and large specific surface areas, thus both high energy density and high power density are achieved. In particular, since the fabrication process is compatible with conventional silicon technology, the structure has immense potential as integrated supercapacitors.