Facile fabrication of SrAl2O4/rGO nanohybrid via hydrothermal route for electrochemical energy storage devices

Spinel oxide-based nanomaterials for pseudo-capacitor electrodes are a viable answer to the energy-related issue and can be easily prepared using cost-effective methods. Here, a hydrothermal approach was employed to synthesise strontium aluminate-reduced graphene oxide (SrAl2O4/rGO) nanohybrid and utilised the electroactive material for an electrochemical energy storage technology to investigate the super-capacitive performance of the electrode. Material properties were examined using microscopic and spectroscopic approaches. Morphological analysis showed well-dispersed SrAl2O4 nanoparticles on rGO surfaces. The electrochemical behaviour of the material was accessed on two and three-electrode systems using different electrochemical tests. The galvanostatic charge-discharge parameter displayed outstanding pseudocapacitive performance of SrAl2O4/ rGO nanohybrid with the specific capacitance (Cs) of 1194.8 F/g at a low value of current density of 1.0 A/g. Reduced graphene oxide inclusion to SrAl2O4 favoured quicker charge transportation kinetics and improved conductivity, thus increasing capacitance. Additionally, the specific energy approached to 43.81 Wh/kg at a greater specific power of 256.9 W/kg. The nanohybrid preserved 95.81 % of its capacitance afterward 5000th charge-discharge cycle and remained stable for 25 h because the elastic rGO matrix increased structural stability and provided greater electroactive surface area. This research not only highlights the potential of novel SrAl2O4/ rGO material as a supercapacitor electrode but focuses on the revolutionary approach to designing low-cost nanohybrid with ultraperformance that might be utilised for various applications in the upcoming day.