Fabrication of LaCrO₃@SiO₂ Nanoparticles Supported with Graphene-Oxide for Capacitive Energy Storage and Photocatalytic Degradation Applications

The feasibility and performance characteristics of a novel ternary nanocomposite reported leading GO@LaCrO₃@SiO₂ as the electrode material in an electrochemical supercapacitor characterized by X-ray diffraction, Zeta potential, Scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Photoluminescence, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Cyclic voltammetry and Galvanostatic charge discharge analysis. Crystallite size value about 5.64 nm is evident from XRD whereas surface morphology of nanocomposite reveals reduction in grain size up to 5.28 nm. EDS confirms elemental position of chromium, silicon, carbon, lanthanum and oxygen in the nanocomposite whereas appearing functional groups in synthesized material confirmed by FTIR. PL spectra shows GO, lanthanum perovskite and silicon peaks presence within nanocomposite. Charge transfer resistance is 1.7 Ω relating electron shift rate constant K_appvalue5.78 × 10⁻⁹ cm⁻¹ calculated from EIS spectra. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of designed material in supercapacitors at current density value of 0.5 Ag⁻¹ indicating elevated capacitance of 2390 Fg⁻¹with scan rate 10 mVs⁻¹ using 1MKOH aqueous electrolyte resulting power and energy densities of 533.26 W Kg⁻¹ and 10.57 Wh Kg⁻¹ respectively. In case of direct sunlight, the composite possess 2 eV band gap as calculated for UV–Vis spectra that could destroy MB dye at a rate of 89.7%, which is in line with first order kinetics constant attaining value 1.080 × 10⁻² min⁻¹. Further outstandingly, the adding up of tetraethyl orthosilicate enhanced the regarding activity of prepared catalytic materials designed to degrade advanced concentration of MB. These results suggested that the newly synthesized nanocomposite has potential as a supercapacitor electrode material with a photocatalyst intend for the oxidation of organic contaminants. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]