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

This work comprises facile synthesis of MXene/CuCr2O4 nanocomposite using coprecipitation 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.& COPY; 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC