Synthesis and characterization of micro-composites: For enhanced electrochemical properties

In this study, we describe an experimental investigation on synthesis and characterization of silicon carbide (SiC) particles encapsulated with MgO (magnesium oxide) and nanocrystalline MgAl2O4 spinel (magnesium aluminate), respectively through sol− gel route, a facile technique. Synthesized microcomposites were comprehensively examined by various characterization techniques like FE-SEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy), XRD (X-Ray diffraction) and TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), respectively. Elemental mapping and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) associated with high-resolution SEM provided the specific amount of shell materials. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) examination was conducted for the MgO encapsulated SiC and MgAl2O4 encapsulated SiC microcomposites. The synthesized encapsulated SiC with MgAl2O4 spinel is having a better catalytic ability and show higher peak currents compared to MgO decorated SiC and pristine SiC. The results obtained from EIS and CV testing demonstrate that synthesized microcomposites can be applied as an active material for supercapacitors, fuel cells, electronic devices, electrodes and unique reinforcing materials in other metal as well as polymer matrix, respectively.