Improved supercapacitor potential and antibacterial activity of bimetallic CNFs–Sn–ZrO2 nanofibers: fabrication and characterization

Abstract

The objective of our study was to develop a new class of one-dimensional Sn–ZrO₂ nanocrystal decorated CNFs. The utilized CNFs–Sn–ZrO₂ composite was prepared by a sol–gel electrospinning method using polyacrylonitrile, ZrO(NO₃)₃·2H₂O and SnCl₂·6H₂O as precursors. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bimetallic CNFs–Sn–ZrO₂ composite possessed higher electrochemical capacitance and better stability than the monometallic and pristine samples as supercapacitor electrode materials. The CNFs–Sn–ZrO₂ composite also exhibited admirable antibacterial activity. From the antimicrobial kinetic test results of E. coli; it was established that the composite (CNFs–Sn–ZrO₂) possessed enhanced bactericidal activity compared to monometallic ones. The obtained high supercapacitance and bactericidal potential can be attributed due to the synergistic effect of Sn and ZrO₂ in the carbon nanofibrous matrix. These results suggest the applicability of the fabricated nanofibers as electrode materials for supercapacitors and as antibacterial agents for decontamination of water.