Multi-functional RGO-supported α-Fe2O3nanocomposites for high-performance pseudocapacitors and visible light-driven photocatalytic applications

This paper deals with a promising multi-functional material for energy storage and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. RGO-supported alpha-Fe(2)O(3)nanocomposites (RGO@alpha-Fe2O3NC) were effectively prepared using the sol-gel method. The as-synthesized samples were utilized for the electrochemical energy storage device as well as for the photocatalytic activity. Further, the RGO@alpha-Fe2O3NC was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The 25 nm-sized alpha-Fe(2)O(3)nanoparticles combined with RGO sheets showed specific capacitance of 127 F g(-1)in addition to a superior cell voltage of 2 V. Enhancement in the degradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye was observed within 30 min, and robust photostability of the RGO@alpha-Fe2O3NC was detected when compared with bare RGO sheets and alpha-Fe(2)O(3)nanoparticles.