Structural, morphological, magnetic, electrochemical and biocompatible properties of ZnFe2O4/MgFe2O4/NiFe2O4/CeO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

In this research, a novel nanocomposite comprising ZnFe₂O₄, MgFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, and CeO₂ was synthesized and evaluated for its potential in supercapacitor applications, as well as its cytotoxic effects on normal mouse muscle fibroblast (BLO-11) and human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. The field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis revealed an average particle size of nearly 10 nm. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed an average particle size of 10 ± 1 nm at 600 °C and 11±1 nm at 700 °C. The resulting composite exhibited encouraging electrochemical characteristics, achieving a notable maximum specific capacitance (Cs) of 123.16 F/g at a current density of 0.25 A/g, along with capacitance retention exceeding 95 % at a current density of 5 A/g. Additionally, the electrode demonstrated excellent rate capability and cyclic stability, maintaining its performance over 10,000 continuous cycles. These results indicate that the developed nanocomposite holds considerable promise for electrochemical applications, particularly in the realm of supercapacitors, suggesting new opportunities for the advancement of technology. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assessments revealed minimal effects on both BLO-11 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, suggesting biocompatibility and potential suitability for biomedical uses. This comprehensive analysis highlights the diverse applications of the synthesized nanocomposites, underlining its potential in both energy storage and biocompatible materials.