Synthesis and characterization of Zn3Mn0.5Li0.2Ti4−xCexO12 nanostructures: spectroscopic and electrochemical insights for enhanced storage performance

Abstract

A series of zinc manganese lithium titanate nanoparticles doped with cerium (Ce) was successfully prepared using the sol-gel technique. The study employed X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance, and dielectric spectroscopies to identify nanoparticles and investigate the crystalline structure, dielectric properties, and electrochemical behavior of Zn₃Mn_0.5Li_0.2Ti_4−xCe_xO₁₂ with different cerium concentrations (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.6, and 1 mol%). The spherical-nanoparticles were produced by the sol-gel technique and calcinated at 700 °C for 4 h. The optical properties of Z Zn₃Mn_0.5Li_0.2Ti₄O₁₂ co-doped with CeO₂ were analyzed using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The variation in the absorption edge with different CeO₂ content indicates changes in the material’s band gap and electronic structure. The impact of Ce³⁺ on the dielectric properties was also investigated. The improvement in electrochemical performance is attributed to internal rearrangements within the Zn₃Mn_0.5Li_0.2Ti₄O₁₂ nanostructure, driven by the presence of Ce³⁺ ions. The capacitance of Zn₃Mn_0.5Li_0.2Ti₄O₁₂ ranges from 41.58 to 38.28 F·g⁻¹ with varying the Ce³⁺ concentration from 0 to 1 mol% at a scan rate of 10 mV·s⁻¹. Additionally, EIS highlights the potential of these nanoceramics for energy storage applications. These findings supply priceless insights into how Ce co-doping affects the suitability of these nanostructures for electronic devices, solar cells, and energy storage implementations.