ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Innovative high-performance supercapacitor and photocatalytic degradable metal sulphide thin film NiS₂:Er₂S₃:Cr₂S₃

Mahwash Mahar Gul, Khuram Shahzad Ahmad, Andrew G. Thomas, and Ammar M. Tighezza

Materials and Environmental Chemistry Lab, Lab E-21, Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

E-mail: chemist.phd33@yahoo.com

Received: 10 January 2024  Accepted: 19 February 2024

Abstract:

This investigation is designed to synthesise and analyse thin film NiS₂:Er₂S₃:Cr₂S₃ accomplished by the use of diethyldithiocarbamate ligand. Various characterisation techniques were done. Crystallite size via X-ray diffraction analysis was 38 nm; while, the band gap value was 2.6 electronvolts. Distinct geometrical structures were observed by the scanning electron microscope. Er 4d, S 2p, Ni 2p, and Cr 2p were the observed core peaks for the main elements in the composite as detected through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry was done to assess the electrochemical performance, which indicated a noteworthy performance as supercapacitor energy storage electrode with 576.5 Fg⁻¹ specific capacitance. A good cycle stability of the thin film was also observed, positioning it as a highly promising option for various energy storage applications. A persuasive examination was done to investigate the photocatalytic capabilities, with the ability to successfully remove a several environmental pollutants. Pesticide fluopyram was degraded up to 96% with 0.0549 min⁻¹ rate constant.

Keywords: Supercapacitor; Energy storage; Electrochemical; Cyclic voltammetry; Photocatalytic degradation

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-024-03375-9

Chemical Papers 78 (7) 4143–4155 (2024)