Synthesis of hierarchical structured Gd doped α-Sb2O4 as an advanced nanomaterial for high performance energy storage devices

Bimetallic oxide nanostructures (NS) of Gd_x: α-Sb₂O₄ (x = 5, 8, 10 wt.%) emerged as novel electrode material for batteries as they exhibit large specific capacity and cyclic stability. Crystal structure of Gd: α-Sb₂O₄ NS investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and identified as mixed orthorhombic phase. Surface chemical composition, binding energies of the metal oxides and incorporation of Gd into α-Sb₂O₄ NS analysed by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectral) studies. Microstructure analysis reveals that distinctive flower/flake like arrays with agglomeration. Morphology, structure and physical/chemical properties of the resulting nanostructure were analysed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy), SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray), BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller), XPS, UV-Visible and XRD studies. Electrochemical performances of Gd_x: α-Sb₂O₄ (x = 10 wt.%) in 6 M KOH aqueous solution dipped in three electrode system evaluated by CV (cyclic voltammetry), GCD (galvanostatic charge-discharge) and EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) measurements. The as-synthesized NS exhibited higher specific capacitance of 958 mAh/g at a current density of 0.15 A/g and excellent cyclic stability with 86.5% capacitive retention after 1000 cycles. Distinctive flower/flake like structure, large surface area, and abundant active sites of Gd_x: α-Sb₂O₄ NS could be the reason for significant increase in charge transfer and storage. In brief this work offers facile method to synthesize Gd_x: α-Sb₂O₄ NS are promising electrode materials for potential applications in high performance super capacitor.