Photo-driven interfacial electron transfer reduction of cis-[Co(phen)2Cl2]Cl complexes with heterojunction CeO2/SnO2 nanocomposite and functional insights into supercapacitance

• Published in: Ionics 2024, Vol.30 (1), p.383-398
• Main Authors: Silambarasan, R., Pavalamalar, S., Perisetti, Uttej Siva Sai Sundar, Anbalagan, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Cerium oxides; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Current carriers; Electrochemistry; Electron transfer; Electron transport; Energy Storage; Heterojunctions; Magnetic properties; Metal oxide semiconductors; Nanocomposites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Oxidation; Photocatalysis; Photoelectrons; Photoluminescence; Renewable and Green Energy; Tin dioxide; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-023-05288-1

Nano CeO 2 /SnO 2 composite was successfully synthesised using the hydrothermal method and is one of the most widely used photocatalysts in metal-oxide semiconductors and has good photocatalytic activity. Experimental and spectroscopic approaches confirmed the structure and shape of the nanocomposite according to XRD, HR-TEM and SEM results. Spectral peaks are shown to migrate with the CeO 2 /SnO 2 composite in experiments using Raman and opacity (photoluminescence). The magnetic properties of the composite were thoroughly investigated. The different oxidation states of Ce and Sn, which act as active sites in the electrocatalytic activity of this nanocomposite material, were observed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The capability of the CeO 2 /SnO 2 composite was demonstrated by additional galvanic charge–discharge (GCD) experiments at various current densities, cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements at different scan rates (the maximum capacitance value of 718 F g −1 from CV and 721 A g −1 from GCD). Reduction of cis-[Co(phen) 2 Cl 2 ]Cl by nano-CeO 2 /SnO 2 was traced for the production of Co(II) ion, which was shown to be catalytically efficient by UV–Vis response curves. Thus, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the nano-CeO 2 /SnO 2 material can be attributed to the excellent charge separation and electron transport for the reduction efficiency of the photogenerated charge carriers.