Optimization of NiFe2O4 by different facile synthetic approaches and investigations on structural and electrochemical properties

Abstract

Due to the metal ion's various oxidation states, ferrites, which are sustainable materials for energy conversion and storage as well as potential remedies to severe environmental problems, exhibit exceptional electrochemical properties. Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) has been synthesis by three different methods such as co-precipitation, sol–gel combustion and microwave-assisted combustion. The goal of this work is to investigate the link between morphology and electrochemical characterization. The XRD pattern confirmed the single-phase cubic spinel structure of prepared nanoparticles. The surface characteristics and elemental composition have been studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The electrochemical properties of the prepared material as an electrode have been analyzed using a three-electrode setup in a 6 M KOH electrolyte solution. The higher calculated specific capacitance employed was 170.44 F/g at current density of 1 A g−1 and 237.84 F/g at 10 mV s-1 scan rare for the nickel ferrite made using a microwave-assisted combustion approach. Additionally, the chronopotentiometry for all ferrites showed a non-linearity curve, supporting the pseudo-capacitance behavior of the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. The stability performance of NiFe2O4 (microwave-assisted combustion) was outstanding, and its specific capacitance retention is about 78 % after 5000 cycles.