Facile fabrication of Nd2O3/Sm2O3 nanocomposite as a robust electrode material for energy storage applications

Energy Storage is considered to be an efficient solution to energy crisis, and research for development of efficient electrode materials that can effectively store energy is way forward. For this, present study employs a binary metal oxide (BMOx) nanohybrid as an electrode material for nanoscale supercapacitor (SC) usage. Nd2O3 and Sm2O3 nanoparticles and a Nd2O3/Sm2O3 nanocomposite are created through a proficient sol-gel method, characterized by several analytical techniques. Electrochemical analysis (cyclic voltammetry CV) of nanocomposite resulting in determination of high specific capacitance value (568 Fg−1), in a three-electrode configuration, which is greater than pristine materials, as 399 Fg−1 for Nd2O3 and 126.1 Fg−1 for Sm2O3, at sweeping speed of 5 mV s−1. Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analysis revealing maximum specific capacitance of 2059 Fg−1, specific energy of 72.3 Wh kg−1 and specific power around 5.03 W kg−1 by Nd2O3/Sm2O3. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) describing smaller polarization resistance (Rp) of 2.78 Ω, and electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) analysis revealing greater active area of 439 cm2. While in two electrode systems, nanocomposite exhibiting specific capacitance (Csp) of 503 Fg−1, through CV analysis, whereas GCD analysis demonstrates specific capacitance of 1173 Fg−1 at current density of 3 Ag−1 while having 124.2 Wh kg−1 specific energy and 1.15 kW kg−1 specific power. Nanocomposite's higher capacitance may facilitate ion transport and improve surface-dependent electrochemical characteristics. This investigation offers a unique research concept for developing electrode materials for supercapacitors.