Electro-chemical studies of Zn doped nickel oxide nanoparticles synthesized via solution combustion method using green and chemical fuels

Abstract

This study presents a new green solution combustion method (aloe vera gel extract as fuel) and chemical method (glucose as fuel) to synthesise Zn-doped nickel oxide nanoparticles (Zn:NiO NPs). The face centered cubic crystal structure (FCC) phase was validated by PXRD, while the produced samples' spongy, spherical, agglomerated, and porous characteristics were shown by electron microscopy. The energy band gap values of 4.21 eV and 4.09 eV, respectively, were deduced for green and chemically synthesized Zn:NiO NPs. The reversibility was demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry with a lower E_O–E_R value for the green-Zn:NiO electrode. The studies on electrochemical impedance confirmed strong conductivity for the NPs by demonstrating a low charge transfer resistance. The Zn:NiO NPs are easily convertible into a stable electrode material that may be used in supercapacitors. According to the findings, Zn:NiO is an economical and promising material for use in supercapacitors in the future.