Phyto-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Ta2O5 Nanoparticles and Their Theoretical and Electrochemical Studies

Phyto-assisted synthetic strategy for the preparation of nanomaterial has been recognized as a green approach as it involves the use of less toxic chemicals, and less energy consumption. In this report, a phyto-assisted strategy involving Azadirachtaindica (Neem) leaf extract was used for the preparation of Ta2O5 nanoparticles (Phyto-Ta2O5 NPs). The morphology and structural features of Phyto-Ta2O5 NPs were investigated by using characterization techniques like FE-SEM and EDX, FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction, and UV-Vis etc. The size of Phyto-Ta2O5 NPs was found to be in the range of 40 to 60 nm diameter containing Ta-O and Ta-O-Ta links. Further, Phyto-Ta2O5 NPs were evaluated for their anode application in Li-ion battery by cyclic voltammetric techniques using an electrolytic mixture of 1 M LiPF6 containing diethyl carbonate and ethyl carbonate (1 : 1 vol %) at 50 mV/s scan rate. The results indicated that Phyto-Ta2O5 NPs could be considered as favorable anodic materials in Li-ion batteries as it possesses good durability.