Hybridized Ag@Zn/Ni nanocables: synergistic enhancements in optical, catalytic, and electrochemical behaviour

In the present study, novel metal–metal core–shell and mixed oxide nanocomposites were developed, consisting of zinc-coated silver nanowires (Ag@Zn) and zinc/nickel mixed oxide-coated silver nanocables (Ag@Ni/Zn). These nanostructures were successfully synthesized with 60–80 nm, an average diameter, by using the polyol method. Based on the nickel and zinc content, these nanomaterials are designated as Z1, Z3, ZNM1 and ZNM3 nanocables, and pure silver nanowires are represented as Z. The nanowires and nanocables obtained were characterized by a variety of techniques. The morphology of NWs and nanocables was examined using SEM (scanning electron microscopy), while TEM (transmission electron microscopy) provided a detailed analysis of the nanocomposite’s morphology. The face-centered cubic structure of all the prepared nanomaterials was verified by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) patterns. The structural properties, including crystallite size and lattice constant of the materials, were calculated by the Debye–Scherrer equation. UV–visible spectroscopy, provides insights into the material’s interaction with light. The fluorescence characteristics of these nanomaterials were examined using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, allowing for a detailed analysis of emission behaviour under specific conditions. AgNWs, Ag@Zn, and Ag@Zn/Ni mixed oxide nanocables both assisted the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol by NaBH4 (sodium borohydride). The clear redox peaks in cyclic voltammetry (CV) pointed out the pseudocapacitive nature of these nanomaterials and conductive properties were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).