Studies on chemically prepared Zn1-2xSnxVxO nanoparticles for supercapacitor application

The present study reports the preparation of Zn1-2xSnxVxO (0 <= x <= 0.10) nanoparticles synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Phase determination and structural properties are carried out using the X-ray diffraction technique. Young's modulus, bond length and bond angles are examined. The change in the crystallite size, texture coefficient and bond length indicates that the dopants Sn and V are successfully incorporated in the Zn lattice. The average crystallite size ranges from similar to 32 - 19 nm for various doping concentrations of tin & vanadium. The texture coefficient increases due to the addition of the dopant. The band gap is 3.253 eV when x = 0.00 and the same is 3.229 eV when x = 0.10. Due to the addition of dopants, a red-shifted band gap is observed. The charge carrier concentration increases as the doping concentration of tin & vanadium increases and the prepared nanoparticles are p-type in nature. More vacancies and more defects are observed from the dielectric studies. The doping increases the specific capacitance and a maximum specific energy density of 11,372 J/kg is observed.