Multifunctional applications of barium zinc vanadate nanoparticles for photocatalytic dye degradation, energy storage and sensing applications

• BZV nanoparticles achieved 80.4% photocatalytic degradation of acid black-52 dye under UV light, demonstrating potential for wastewater treatment. • The BZV-modified carbon paste electrode exhibited a high specific capacitance of 714.15 F·g−1 with excellent cycling stability over 1000 cycles, suitable for supercapacitor applications. • The electrode enabled sensitive detection of biomolecules (ascorbic acid, uric acid), drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen), and heavy metals (Hg, Co, Cd) in the 1–5 mM range with low detection limits. • The multifunctional nature of BZV nanoparticles positions them as promising candidates for energy storage and environmental monitoring technologies.