Fabrication and characterization of MXene/CuCr2O4 nanocomposite for diverse energy applications

Abstract

This work comprises facile synthesis of MXene/CuCr2O4 nanocomposite using co-precipitation method for studying unique and significant energy storage properties by triggering world to design and fabricate nano-electrode material with maximized specific capacitance, conductivity and stability. Average crystallite size were found to be 21.2 nm, 28.5 nm and 8.7 nm for CuCr2O4, Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx/CuCr2O4 nanocomposites whereas sandwich like morphology with an average grain size of 1.53 nm is evident from SEM micrographs. Further analysis by Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals elemental distribution with complete aluminum removal showing MXene successful etching. Raman spectra confirms presence of both D and G band whereas PL spectra showing merged peak at 376 nm due to structural distortions. From FTIR spectra, presence of both copper chromite and MXene within nanocomposite is evident. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed decrease in bandgap value from 2.06 eV to 1.56 eV whereas zeta potential value of −13.8 mV for Ti3C2Tx/CuCr2O4 as compared to Ti3C2Tx zeta potential value of −23 mV confirmed nanocomposite stability. Nanocomposite based nano-electrode material shows maximum specific capacitance of 445.5 Fg-1 in acidic electrolyte (0.1M H2SO4) comparable to basic electrolyte possessing maximum stability over 500 cycles with no further decrease in current. This progress report acts as a reference and a scientific inspiration to design and fabricate Ti3C2Tx/CuCr2O4 nanocomposite based nano-electrode material to overcome increasing demand for next-generation energy storage systems.

Keywords

• Nanocomposite
• X-ray diffraction
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Energy bandgap
• UV–Vis spectroscopy
• Energy storage applications