Copper chromite/graphene oxide nanocomposite for capacitive energy storage and electrochemical applications

Innovation in design and fabrication of energy storage materials has triggered a swift development in capacitive materials. In this regard, two-dimensional grapheme-based spinal metal oxide nanocomposites exhibit quite substantial capacitive potential. Moreover, heteroatom-incorporated graphene nanocomposites improvise the electronic significance of conducive materials. For purpose, copper chromite nanoparticles embedded on graphene oxide (CuCr2O4/GO) were developed via co-precipitation method as an efficient energy storage material. CuCr2O4 was prepared by simple sol-gel route, whereas GO was synthesized by modified Hummer's method. Structural crystallinity was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis, structural morphology and elemental weight composition indicated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Bond formation in CuCr2O4/GO composite was reflected by Raman band shifts. The photoluminescence measurements were taken for estimation of bandgap. Charge transfer resistance (R-ct) and electrochemical active surface area were obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. Specific capacitance of the as-synthesized nanocomposites was calculated via CV measurements when peak current was observed varying the scan rate in both acidic and basic media. Maximum capacitance of 370.5 Fg(-1) achieved corresponded to 0.1 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte, which is an indication of capacitive energy storage application of as-synthesized nanocomposite. Therefore, it can be conferred that the as-synthesized CuCr2O4/GO material could be an effective capacitive material for energy storage applications.