Hierachical nanosheets
of Co3O4 can deliver
specific capacitance of ∼402 F g–1, which
is 50% higher than that obtained using simpler disc shaped (∼230
F g–1) or conventional solid structures (∼150
F g–1). A simple question is then asked: should
the particles showing other morphologies be discarded? As the electrode
material is to be used in green or renewable energy technologies,
the carbon footprint of each particle morphology was determined using
the life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The results led to inferences,
which were strikingly different from those generally expected. It
was seen that simpler morphologies, prepared using easier synthesis
protocols, had five-times lower CO2 footprints than hierarchical
morphology (nanosheets). The results become extremely critical for
proposing their large scale industrial use. They clearly indicate
that the choice of nanostructured metal oxides in energy storage devices
will have to be relooked from the aspect of their own environmental
impacts. Particles with lowest environmental impact but comparable
specific capacitances will win over other counterparts.
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