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 (Rct) 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.