Electrical Double Layer-like Response from Green Synthesized Zirconia Nanoparticles

Abstract

The development of clean and sustainable energy solution is critical to meet the present energy demands of the energy-storage systems. Herein, we report the electrochemical energy storage characteristics of zirconia nanoparticles intended for utilization in high power density electrochemical supercapacitors. In the present work, we adopt an eco-friendly route to synthesize zirconia nanoparticles in the tetragonal phase from Melia dubia leaf extract. The prepared zirconia nanoparticles are characterized to investigate the structural, optical, electrical and electrochemical properties. The electrochemical investigations reveal that the fabricated electrode from zirconia nanoparticles exhibits a predominantly electrical double layer-like signature in energy storage characteristics with a specific capacitance of 120 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. It is worth noting that the distinctive characteristic of double-layer capacitance, conventionally associated with carbonaceous materials, is now identified in metal oxide. The remarkable performance of the electrode along with a high gravimetric power density of 3825 W kg−1, suggests zirconia as a promising solution for sustainable electrochemical energy storage.