Graphene Oxide/Nickel Chromite Nanocomposite: Optimized Synthesis, Structural and Optical Properties

Graphene oxide based nickel chromite nanocomposite (GONC) was synthesized via a cost effective chemical co-precipitation method for energy storage applications. As-synthesized nanomaterial was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, an elemental composition diagnostic via energy dispersive spectrscopy, optical properties via raman spectroscopy, bandgap transition measurements via photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry to measure electron-transfer resistance and electrochemical active surface area. A grain size value of about 1.55 nm with nickel particles aggregation over graphene oxide surface results in nickel non-homogenous distribution with spherical grains. This leads to structural defects resulting in a downward shift at about 1430 cm-1 as observed via raman spectra. Also, a electrochemical active surface area of 0.08 cm2 comparable to GCE surface area leads to better conductivity with a decrease in Rct upto 5.4 KΩ. It is therefore considered to be an ideal material with optimized parameters to be synthesized as tested for energy storage applications.