Dual functionality of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles as a fertilizer and supercapacitor

Nanoparticles-based fertilizers can supply nutrients more effectively to the crops that can improve agricultural productions. Ferrite nanoparticles can replace the conventional iron fertilizers. Iron is more essential for plant growth and its deficiency mostly affects the cellular activities. Nickel is a constituent of plant enzymes like urease that converts nitrogen into useable ammonia inside the plant. It also prevents the accumulation of toxic levels of urea in plant tissues. In spinel ferrites, Nickel ferrite is considered for many applications because of its superior properties. NiFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with highest capacity. NiFe2O4 nanoparticle (NP) has been successfully synthesized using sol-gel technique and its characteristics are analysed by XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. XRD confirms the cubic-spinel structure with crystallite size of 23.98 nm. FTIR spectrum shows the presence of functional groups in the sample. The SEM images shows the morphology and size of the obtained nanoparticles. The results of seed priming account of nickel ferrite NPs in the growth of rice and black gram have been explored. Seeds of rice and black gram are primed with various concentrations of NiFe2O4 NPs (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mgL(-1)) for 24 h by continuous aeration. Plant height, spike length, dry weights of roots, shoots, grains, and spikes are greater with synthesized NPs, especially in higher rates of NPs. The results confirm that NiFe2O4 NPs made significant influence in the growth of rice and black gram. NiFe2O4 NPs are developed as electrode for supercapacitor and tested their charge storage ability by the electrochemical techniques. It exhibits specific capacitance of 360 Fg(-1) and cyclic retention of 98.9 % even after 5000 GCD cycles. Bifunctional performance of NiFe2O4 NPs is demonstrated as nano fertilizer and supercapacitor which is the need for fertilizer and energy storage devices industries.