Comparative study of the structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of γ-Ga2O3 synthesized by microwave hydrothermal and sol–gel techniques

Abstract

This research focused on the synthesis of gallium oxide (γ-Ga₂O₃) nanoparticles using sol–gel and hydrothermal techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), UV–Vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), calculation of specific capacitance (SC), and specific capacitance (Q) techniques were used. XRD patterns showed the formation of the cubic phase of gallium oxide (γ-Ga₂O₃). The polyhedral and spherical grains can be seen in the FESEM images of the synthesized nanostructures. The band gap values were determined between 4.29 and 4.42 eV. The FTIR results indicate the formation of a gallium oxide structure. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) results are consistent with the redox reactions performed. Samples produced by sol–gel and hydrothermal synthesis, then microwave-annealed, have the highest capacity (SC). They show values of 1172.6 mAh g⁻¹ and 1261.9 mAh g⁻¹, respectively. These results show that these nanoparticles are effective anodes for lithium-ion batteries.