Lead integrated two-dimensional (MXene/PbCrO₄) nanocomposite designed for energy storage and photocatalytic degradation applications

Supercapacitors (SCs), among other electrochemical device applications, require materials with maximal energy storage capacity, and the stacked two-dimensional titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C₂) sparked the development of these materials. This paper embellished to present smoothed MXene/PbCrO₄ nanocomposite via co-precipitation method along with modified sol-gel achieved lead chromate (PbCrO₄) nano-crystalline for energy storage and photocatalytic applications using ethylene glycol as connecting agent to restrict nano-particle growth. It is evident from photoluminescence spectra that peak intensity has decreased, whilst Raman spectra show the presence of MXene and lead peaks in the nanocomposite, whereas FTIR has revealed the presence of functional groups in synthesized material. According to calculations made using EIS spectra, the charge transfer resistance is 1.4 Ω, with the electron shift rate constant K_app value 6.98 10⁻⁹ cm s⁻¹. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of the designed material in supercapacitors at 0.3Ag⁻¹ of current density indicates elevated capacitance of 5408 Fg⁻¹ with scan rate of 10 mV s⁻¹ using 1MKOH aqueous electrolyte, resulting in power and energy densities of 2991.8 W kg⁻¹ and 110.1 Wh K⁻¹ g⁻¹, respectively. UV-vis spectra shows the nanocomposite has a 1.86 eV band gap that, in the presence of direct sunlight, might cause the destruction of MB dye at a rate of 92.79%. These findings suggested that the newly created MXene/PbCrO₄ nanocomposite demonstrates evidence of substantial features as compared to single materials has potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors as well as best photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants regarding water purification.