Green synthesized rGO@Pr₆O₁₁ nanocomposites: Efficient photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and enhanced energy storage performance

In the quest for sustainable energy solutions and effective environmental remediation, we present the innovative synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites integrated with praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁) nanoparticles. This study underscores the vital role of these materials in addressing critical energy and environmental challenges. The nanocomposites, synthesized through a simple and eco-friendly approach, demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 99.33 % degradation of Rhodamine B under sunlight within 180 min—significantly outperforming bare Pr₆O₁₁ due to the synergistic effects of GO and rGO. In addition, detailed electrochemical evaluations using both three-electrode and two-electrode configurations revealed that the rGO@Pr₆O₁₁ nanocomposites exhibit high specific capacitance. In three-electrode configurations, the rGO@Pr₆O₁₁ nanocomposites exhibit a superior specific capacitance of 202.85 F/g (from CV measurements) and retain 89.52 % of their capacity after 10,000 cycles. In the asymmetric two-electrode configuration (rGO@Pr₆O₁₁ as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode), the device delivered a specific capacitance of 53.42 F/g at 5 mV/s (CV) and 10.52 F/g at 1 A/g (GCD), with an energy density of 3.34 Wh/kg and a power density of 1500 W/kg. The hybrid design of Pr₆O₁₁ and rGO enhances charge transfer through improved ion transport and electron conductivity, demonstrating their potential as transformative materials for energy storage and environmental remediation. This research introduces a highly efficient nanocomposite, representing a significant advancement in photocatalysis and energy storage, with promising implications for practical, real-world applications.