Synthesis and nanostructure investigation of hybrid β-Ga2O3/ZnGa2O4 nanocomposite networks with narrow-band green luminescence and high initial electrochemical capacity

Abstract

The material design of functional “aero”-networks offers a facile approach to optical, catalytical, or and electrochemical applications based on multiscale morphologies, high large reactive area, and prominent material diversity. Here in this paper, the synthesis and structural characterization of a hybrid β-Ga2O3/ZnGa2O4 nanocomposite aero-network are presented. The nanocomposite networks are studied on multiscale with respect to their micro- and nanostructure by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and are characterized for their photoluminescent response to UV light excitation and their electrochemical performance with Li-ion conversion reaction. The structural investigations reveal the simultaneous transformation of the precursor aero-GaN(ZnO) network into hollow architectures composed of β-Ga2O3 and ZnGa2O4 nanocrystals with a phase ratio of ≈1:2. The photoluminescence of hybrid aero-β-Ga2O3/ZnGa2O4 nanocomposite networks demonstrates narrow band (λem = 504 nm) green light emission of ZnGa2O4 under UV light excitation (λex = 300 nm). The evaluation of the metal-oxide network performance for electrochemical application for Li-ion batteries shows high initial capacities of ≈714 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 paired with exceptional rate performance even at high current densities of 4 A g−1 with 347 mAh g−1. This study provides is an exciting showcase example of novel networked materials and demonstrates the opportunities of tailored micro-/nanostructures for diverse applications a diversity of possible applications.