Study of Bi2O3-RGO Nanocomposites as Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Nanodevices

Abstract

In this study Bi2O3 nanoparticles have been synthesized via simple and versatile co-precipitation technique while Bi2O3/RGO NCs by in-situ approach with different ratios of RGO in host matrix, (Bi2O3)0.75/(RGO)0.25, (Bi2O3)0.50/(RGO)0.50 and (Bi2O3)0.25/(RGO)0.75. The fabricated NCs material successfully integrated the electrode performance with synergistic effects, contributed by Bi2O3 and RGO nanoparticles. The structural, vibrational, and optical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopy techniques. The supercapacitor behavior was studied using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, impedance analysis, cycle stability, and coulombic efficiency respectively. The NC electrode material (Bi2O3)0.50/(RGO)0.50 has achieved a superior specific capacitance of 1254.9 F g−1 at a scan rate 5 mV/sec in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Moreover, this electrode material has achieved an outstanding specific energy density of 27.92 Wh/Kg and a specific power density of 900 W/Kg with a cycle retention of 99 % over 1000 cycles, with low ohmic resistance of 1.255 Ω. The high specific capacitance, power density, and energy density with low ohmic resistance of the prepared nanocomposite is an excellent choice for energy storage devices with low voltage drop and minimal energy loss in the form of heat and with the long lifetime of the capacitor.