Investigating the potential of Nd and Co modified bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticles for advanced energy storage and electronic applications

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized and characterized Nd and Co modified bismuth ferrite nanoparticles (BNFCO) using mechanical milling. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has provided confirmation of the distorted rhombohedral, mixed rhombohedral-tetragonal and tetragonal perovskite structure with space group R3c and P2mm. Notably, these nanoparticles exhibited a high dielectric constant and low loss values at low frequencies and high temperatures, remaining around 103 up to 373 K before increasing to approximately 104, which opens new avenues for exploring temperature-sensitive dielectric properties. The AC conductivity adhered to Jonscher's power law, with dc conductivity values ranging from 10−5 to 10−3 s/cm, representing a significant advance in understanding electrical conduction in nanomaterials. Furthermore, we assessed the electrochemical behavior of the fabricated samples at varying concentrations using cyclic voltammetry, Galvanostatic charge and discharging (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on a modified electrode. BNFCO (0.20) displayed exceptional properties with a capacitance of 510 F g−1 and a capacitance retention of 93.9 % after 5k cycles, making BNFCO nanomaterials potential candidates for supercapacitor applications. The multifunctional properties of Nd and Co modified bismuth ferrite nanoparticles presented in this study offer unparalleled opportunities for transformative applications in supercapacitors and optoelectronic devices.