Development of solution combustion-synthesized RGO/ZnO:1Eu3+ nanocomposite for supercapacitor and fingerprint visualization applications

Abstract

High-performance energy storage devices depend significantly on the design and quality of electrode materials. This research reports the successful synthesis of RGO/ZnO:1Eu³⁺ (RZE) nanocomposites using a solution combustion method, showcasing their potential for supercapacitor applications. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrated a marked enhancement in specific capacitance (Csp), achieving an impressive 428.9 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 2 mV/s. Further, charge-discharge tests indicated a specific capacitance of 274.54 F g⁻¹, reinforcing the material's suitability for energy storage. The RZE electrodes exhibited notable energy density (54.38 Wh/kg) and power density (40,000 Wh/kg). Importantly, these nanocomposites retained 87.5 % of their capacity and showed a high coulombic efficiency of 92.7 % after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. These findings underscore the effectiveness of RZE electrode materials for supercapacitors. Additionally, RZE nanocomposites have demonstrated outstanding performance in enhancing fingerprint visualization, revealing detailed ridge patterns, minutiae, and pore structures, signifying their potential as a valuable tool in forensic science applications.