Enhanced performance of GO and RGO/Y2SiO5: Sm3+ nanocomposites for supercapacitors and biosensors

Abstract

The increasing demand for high-performance materials in energy storage and biosensing applications highlights the need for ongoing research. Traditional materials often fail to meet the required standards for specific capacitance, energy density, and selectivity. Developing advanced nanocomposites, such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO) based Y₂SiO₅:Sm³⁺ (RYSOS), seeks to overcome these limitations, providing enhanced efficiency and stability. This study synthesized RYSOS nanocomposites for supercapacitor and biosensor applications, demonstrating superior performance over graphene oxide (GO) (GYSOS). RYSOS exhibited a higher specific capacitance of 474.81 Fg⁻¹ compared to 396.68F⁻¹ for GYSOS, and an energy density of 55.55 Wh/kg versus 32.89 Wh/kg. Additionally, RYSOS electrodes showed improved capacity retention at 87.83 % and coulombic efficiency at 91.54 % after 5000 cycles. In biosensing, RYSOS-modified carbon paste electrodes achieved excellent dopamine detection at pH 7.4, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.8579 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2.859 µM. The developed electrode also demonstrated high selectivity for dopamine over uric acid and maintained 90 % stability over 10 cycles. These findings underscore the potential of RYSOS nanocomposites in enhancing the performance of advanced energy storage systems and biosensors, highlighting their effectiveness in specific capacitance, energy density, and selective biosensing capabilities.