Facile Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured MnO(2) Thin Films and Their Application in Supercapacitors

Flower-Like MoS2 for Next-Generation High-Performance Energy Storage Device Applications

Here, a well crystalline 3D flower-like structured MoS2 (~420 nm) has been successfully synthesized on a large scale by a simple hydrothermal technique. The evolution of morphology in the formation process has also been investigated. The crystallinity, purity, and morphology of the sample are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, fieldemission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The FESEM and TEM images reveal that the sample exhibits a uniform 3D flower-like microsphere shape with folded nanosheets, which are stretched out along the edge of the microsphere. The electrochemical performance of the sample has been investigated by cyclic voltammogram, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies. The results of the electrochemical analysis suggest that the material delivers a maximum specific capacitance (Csp) of 350 F/g at a discharge current density of 0.25 A/g with energy density 17.5 Wh/kg. It also exhibits good capability and excellent cyclic stability (94% capacity retention after 1,000 cycles in 1 A/g) owing to the coupling effect of electrical conductivity with the interesting morphology and larger active surface area. Hence, the sample may be used as a promising electrode material for high-performance energy storage devices.

Long Cyclic Life in Manganese Oxide-Based Electrodes

Long cyclic life is very important to the practical application of the pseudocapacitors. A systematic study has been carried out to reveal what key factors and how they affecting the cycling behaviors of manganese oxides. The specific capacitance degradation of MnOx is usually attributed to the so-called "dissolution" issue. Our results indicate that "dissoluted MnOx" is in the form of the "flotsam" derived from the detached active materials instead of Mn(2+) in the solution, which causes color change of electrolyte and the loss of specific capacitance. During the cycling, the morphology of manganese oxides transformed to flower-like flakes regardless of the starting structures. After that, it tends to form nanowires especially at elevated temperatures. According to the relative low electrochemical utility of nanowires, specific capacitance might decrease at this stage. These results put forward new questions on charge storage mechanism. Besides, electrochemical oxidation of MnOx leads to an increase in specific capacitance. The cycling behavior of MnOx is mainly determined by these three factors. Excitingly, a very stable cycling performance with no capacitance degradation over 40 000 cycles has been achieved in MnO2 hierarchical sphere-based electrodes. This study provides insightful understanding of the fundamental cycling behavior of MnOx-based electrodes and useful instructions for developing highly stable supercapacitors.

Highly Conductive Aromatic Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube for Inkjet Printable High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

We report the functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) via the 1,3-dipolar [3+2] cycloaddition of aromatic azides, which resulted in a detangled CNT as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Carboxylic moieties (-COOH) on aromatic azide result in highly stable aqueous dispersion (max. conc. ~ 10 mg/mL H2O), making the suitable for inkjet printing. Printed patterns on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate exhibit low sheet resistivity ~65 Ω. cm, which is attributed to enhanced conductivity. Fabricated Supercapacitors (SC) assembled using these printed substrates exhibit good electrochemical performance in organic as well as aqueous electrolytes. High energy and power density (57.8 Wh/kg and 0.85 kW/kg) in 1M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed supercapacitor. Capacitive retention varies from ~85-94% with columbic efficiency ~95% after 1000 charge/discharge cycles in different electrolytes, demonstrating the excellent potential of the device for futuristic power applications.

Facile synthesis and strongly microstructure-dependent electrochemical properties of graphene/manganese dioxide composites for supercapacitors

Graphene has attracted much attention since it was firstly stripped from graphite by two physicists in 2004, and the supercapacitor based on graphene has obtained wide attention and much investment as well. For practical applications of graphene-based supercapacitors, however, there are still many challenges to solve, for instance, to simplify the technological process, to lower the fabrication cost, and to improve the electrochemical performance. In this work, graphene/MnO2 composites are prepared by a microwave sintering method, and we report here a relatively simple method for the supercapacitor packaging, i.e., dipping Ni-foam into a graphene/MnO2 composite solution directly for a period of time to coat the active material on a current collector. It is found that the microwave reaction time has a significant effect on the microstructure of graphene/MnO2 composites, and consequently, the electrochemical properties of the supercapacitors based on graphene/MnO2 composites are strongly microstructure dependent. An appropriately longer microwave reaction time, namely, 15 min, facilitates a very dense and homogeneous microstructure of the graphene/MnO2 composites, and thus, excellent electrochemical performance is achieved in the supercapacitor device, including a high specific capacitance of 296 F/g and a high capacitance retention of 93% after 3,000 times of charging/discharging cycles.

PACS

81.05.ue; 78.67.Sc; 88.80.fh.

Insights on the fundamental capacitive behavior: a case study of MnO2

In this work, an insightful study on the fundamental capacitive behavior of MnO2 based electrodes is carried out using MnO2 hierarchical spheres (MHSs) and MnO2 nanoneedles (MNs) as examples. An overall understanding of the relationship between the capacitive performance and the electrode configuration as well as the morphology of active material, loading density, porosity of electrode, and electrolyte concentration is investigated comprehensively. Our analyses show that MnO2 with thin structure is of advantage to increase the utility of active material and to deliver higher specific capacitance, as the faradic reaction happens at/near the surface. Creation of an efficient path for the transport of electrons and ions is crucial to achieve high rate capabilities. Cycling stability could be improved by suppressing the side reaction. It is also important to shed light on the charge contribution from a graphite paper (GP) substrate since it may cause a misinterpretation of the capacitive behavior. This study provides a comprehensive understanding on the fundamental capacitive behavior of MnO2 based electrodes and gives useful clues for designing high performance supercapacitors.

Hierarchically structured Co₃O₄@Pt@MnO₂ nanowire arrays for high-performance supercapacitors

Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO₂-based electrode – a hierarchical Co₃O₄@Pt@MnO₂ core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co₃O₄ nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO₂ nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co₃O₄ nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO₂ nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co₃O₄@Pt@MnO₂ nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO₂–based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors.

MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES BASED NANOCOMPOSITES FOR SUPERCAPACITORS: A REVIEW OF ELECTRODE MATERIALS

Electrode materials are the most important factors to verify the properties of the electrochemical supercapacitor. In this paper, the storage principles and characteristics of electrode materials, including carbon-based materials, transition metal oxides and conducting polymers for supercapacitors are depicted in detail. Other factors such as electrode separator and electrolyte are briefly investigated. Recently, several works are conducted on application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and MWCNTs-based electrode materials for supercapacitors. MWCNTs serve in experimental supercapacitor electrode materials result in specific capacitance (SC) value as high as 135 Fg-1. Addition of pseudocapacitive materials such as transition metal oxides and conducting polymers in the MWCNTs results in electrochemical performance improvement (higher capacitance and conductivity). The nanocomposites of MWCNTs and pseudocapacitive materials are the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their good electrical conductivity, low cost and high mass density.