Single step auto-igniting combustion technique grown CeO2 and Ni-doped CeO2 nanostructures for multifunctional applications

In the present study, pristine and Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) nanoparticles are grown by low cost modified combustion process. The surface morphology and phase pureness of the pristine and Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) nanostructures is achieved by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The closed and open mode Z-scan studies reveal that these synthesized nanostructures possess excellent reverse saturation absorption behaviour, which can be utilized for optical limiting applications in defence and healthcare systems. By analyzing the photocatalytic properties against Eosin Yellow dye, the degradation efficiency of synthesized samples is found to be 91% and 93% respectively. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge (GCD) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic (EIS) are the techniques which help to study the electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials for electrode materials of supercapacitor. From GCD, the specific capacitance of pristine and Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) is 305 and 446 F g(-1) respectively. Even after 2000 GCD cycles, the cyclic stability and coulombic efficiency of Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) remains at 96.1% and 97.5%, while for pure CeO2 it is 88.3% and 91% respectively. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, pristine and Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) nanoparticles were synthesized through a low-cost modified combustion process, with their surface morphology and phase purity analyzed using SEM and XRD techniques. The synthesized nanostructures showed excellent reverse saturation absorption behavior for potential optical limiting applications, as well as high degradation efficiency against Eosin Yellow dye. Additionally, electrochemical properties for supercapacitor electrode materials were studied using techniques such as CV, GCD, and EIS, with Ce1-xNixO2(x = 0.1) demonstrating superior cyclic stability and coulombic efficiency compared to pure CeO2.