Tuning the electrochemical performance of ceria-zirconia solid solution nanoparticles for energy storage applications

Abstract

The depletion of traditional fuel reserves and the growing energy crisis have kindled research to develop alternative solutions for energy storage. In this context, we have explored three different compositions of ceria-zirconia solid solutions to identify the optimal composition for electrochemical energy storage. The solid solutions nanoparticles are synthesized employing green method using Melia dubia leaf extract and the synthesized nanomaterials are characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis. spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX analyses to study the structural, vibrational, optical, and microstructural properties respectively. The electrical characterization is performed to investigate the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity of the synthesized solid solution nanoparticles as a function of applied frequency at different temperatures. The electrochemical energy storage characteristics of electrodes fabricated from ceria-zirconia solid solution nanoparticles are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analyses. The findings demonstrate a significant enhancement in the energy storage characteristics of ceria upon forming a solid solution with zirconia (Ce_0.25Zr_0.75O₂), thereby rendering it suitable for practical applications.