Investigation of electrochemical performance of sol-gel derived MgFe2O4 nanospheres as aqueous supercapacitor electrode and bi-functional water splitting electrocatalyst in alkaline medium

• Published in: Current applied physics 2021, 27(0), , pp.73-88
• Main Authors: Maitra, S., Mitra, R., Nath, T.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous supercapacitor; Electrocatalyst; Nanoscale materials; Overpotential; Pseudocapacitance; 물리학
• ISSN: 1567-1739; 1878-1675
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cap.2021.04.009

Herein this work, we have used the sol-gel chemical synthesis method to prepare spherical shaped MgFe2O4 nanoparticles having size 45–50 nm. Using 1 mol L−1 Sodium Perchlorate (NaClO4) electrolyte, a capacitance of 61 F/g, a capacitance retention of 82.91% (after undergoing 1000 cycles), and an energy density of 41 Wh/kg have been achieved. Using 1 mol L−1 Magnesium Perchlorate (Mg(ClO4)2) as electrolyte, a capacitance of 43 F/g, a capacitance retention of 82.15%, and an energy density of 29 Wh/kg have been realized. Furthermore, MgFe2O4 nanospheres exhibited an overpotential (η) = 1.09 V, a Tafel slope (b) = 317 mV/dec in regard to alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. It also achieved η = 402 mV and b = 241 mV/dec in regard towards alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. These results signify the suitability of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles for high energy density aqueous supercapacitor and water splitting electrocatalyst applications. [Display omitted] •Magnesium Ferrite nanoparticles (MgFe2O4) synthesized by sol-gel process.•Spherical shaped nanoparticles with size of 45–50 nm observed.•Capacitance of 61 F/g with 41 Wh/kg energy density was attained.•Cyclic retention of 82.91% after 1000 cycles.•OER electrocatalysis: overpotential = 1.09 V, Tafel slope = 317 mV/dec.•HER electrocatalysis: overpotential = 402 mV, Tafel slope = 241 mV/dec.