Construction of three-dimensional MnO2/Ni network as an efficient electrode material for high performance supercapacitors

Rate capability and electrolyte concentration: Tuning MnO2 supercapacitor electrodes through electrodeposition parameters

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is a well-known pseudocapacitive material that has been extensively studied and highly regarded, especially in supercapacitors, due to its remarkable surface redox behavior, leading to a high specific capacitance. However, its full potential is impeded by inherent characteristics such as its low electrical conductivity, dense morphology, and hindered ionic diffusion, resulting in limited rate capability in supercapacitors. Addressing this issue often requires complicated strategies and procedures, such as designing sophisticated composite architectures. This study introduces a straightforward and cost-effective approach to tune and enhance the rate capability of MnO2 pseudocapacitor electrodes fabricated via the electrodeposition method. Among the electrodeposition parameters, the deposition time and electrolyte concentration, which influence the mass loading, electrode thickness, microstructure, and electrochemical properties, were the primary focus. Various electrodes were prepared potentiostatically in a two-electrode cathodic electrodeposition setup on a Ni foam substrate in a KMnO4 aqueous electrolyte, with bath concentrations (in terms of Mn ion) of 0.01 and 0.1 M, and electrodeposition times ranging from 1 to 15 min. Optimal rate capabilities were achieved at low bath concentrations and deposition times, primarily due to the structural properties of electrodes prepared under such circumstances. While electrodeposition at a 0.1 M electrolyte concentration resulted in the formation of electrolytic MnO2 with high supercapacitive rate sensitivity, reducing the bath concentration to 0.01 M primarily led to the formation of birnessite δ-MnO2, capable of maintaining a reasonable specific capacitance in the range of approximately 90-100 Fg-1 with almost no sensitivity to the charging/discharging rate, as confirmed by galvanostatic charge-discharge (1-10 Ag-1) and cyclic voltammetry (10-100 mVs-1) examinations. Along with the positive structural impacts of the layered birnessite with large interlayer spacing, the porous morphology (vertically aligned two-dimensional interconnected columns) and low thickness (≈2 μm) of the electrode prepared at the lowest bath concentration and electrodeposition time (0.01 M in 1 min electrode) contributed to its fast ionic diffusion kinetics for pseudocapacitive charge storage and the consequent high rate capability.

Effective Energy Storage Performance Derived from 3D Porous Dendrimer Architecture Metal Phosphides//Metal Nitride-Sulfides

The present work addresses the limitations by fabricating a wide range of negative electrodes, including metal nitrides/sulfides on a 3D bimetallic conductive porous network (3D-Ni and 3D-NiCo) via a dynamic hydrogen bubble template (DHBT) method followed by vapour phase growth (VPG) process. Among the prepared negative electrodes, the 3D-Fe3S4-Fe4N/NiCo nanostructure demonstrates an impressive specific capacitance (Cs) of 1125 F g-1 (2475 mF cm-2) at 1 A g-1 with 80% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles. Similarly, a 3D-Mn3P nanostructured positive electrode fabricated via electrodeposition followed by a phosphorization process exhibits a maximum specific capacity (Cg) of 923.04 C g-1 (1846.08 mF cm-2) at 1 A g-1 with 80% stability. A 3D-Mn3P/Ni//3D-Fe3S4-Fe4N/NiCo supercapattery is also assembled, and it shows a notable CS of 151 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, as well as a high energy density (ED) of 51 Wh kg-1,a power density (PD) of 782.57 W kg-1 and a capacitance efficiency of 76% over 10 000 cycles. This may be ascribed to the use of a bimetallic 3D porous conductive template and the attachment of transition metal sulfide and nitride. The development of negative electrodes and supercapattery devices is greatly aided by this exploration of novel synthesis techniques and material choice.

Coaxial nickel cobalt selenide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube array as a three-dimensional self-supported electrode for electrochemical energy storage

Herein, we propose a one-step urea pyrolysis method for preparing a nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube array grown on carbon fiber paper, which is demonstrated as a three-dimensional scaffold for constructing a nickel cobalt selenide-based coaxial array structure. Thanks to the large surface area, interconnected porous structure, high mass loading, as well as fast electron/ion transport pathway of the coaxial array structure, the nickel cobalt selenide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube electrode exhibits over 7 times higher areal capacity than that directly grown on carbon fiber paper, and better rate capability. The cell assembled by a nickel cobalt selenide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube positive electrode and an iron oxyhydroxide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube negative electrode delivers a volumetric capacity of up to 22.5 C cm-3 (6.2 mA h cm-3) at 4 mA cm-2 and retains around 86% of the initial capacity even after 10 000 cycles at 10 mA cm-2. A volumetric energy density of up to 4.9 mW h cm-3 and a maximum power density of 208.1 mW cm-3 are achieved, and is comparable to, if not better than, those of similar energy storage devices reported previously.

Hybrid Mesoporous Carbon/Copper Ferrite Electrode for Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) with two dissimilar electrodes are known to exhibit relatively moderate energy and power densities. If electrodes derived from earth-abundant materials or renewable resources such as lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) are used for fabrication, energy storage systems are expected to become less expensive and more sustainable. Hybrid electrode materials have advantages such as higher surface area, better chemical stability, and superior energy density. This study reports on the synthesis of a novel hybrid electrode material containing porous carbon (POC) and copper ferrite, which is designated as POC@Cu-ferrite, and its electrochemical performance in ASC configuration. Corn stover derived hydrochar is utilized for the sol-gel synthesis of POC@Cu-ferrite hybrid material using earth-abundant Cu and Fe-based precursors. This material is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). As-synthesized Cu-ferrite is found to contain 89.2% CuFe2O4 and 10.8% Fe2O3, whereas other phases such as Fe3O4, CuFeO2, and CuO are observed for the POC@Cu-ferrite. BET-specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume of POC@Cu-ferrite are observed as 1068 m2/g and 0.72 cm3/g, respectively. POC@Cu-ferrite hybrid electrode is used with POC opposite electrode to fabricate ASC, which is tested using Gamry G-300 potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA to obtain cyclic voltammetry (CV) profiles and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) plots. ASC is also prepared using Cu-ferrite and POC materials and its specific capacitance and stability are compared with ASCs prepared with POC@Cu-ferrite and POC or graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) electrodes. POC@Cu-ferrite hybrid electrode is found to be superior with a 2-fold higher capacitance and significant electrochemical stability over 100 GCD cycles as compared to the Cu-ferrite electrode.

Layer-by-Layer Heterostructure of MnO2@Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites as High-Performance Electrodes for Supercapacitors

In this paper, δ-MnO₂ with layered structure was prepared by a facile liquid phase method, and exfoliated MnO₂ nanosheet (e-MnO₂) was obtained by ultrasonic exfoliation, whose surface was negatively charged. Then, positive charges were grafted on the surface of MnO₂ nanosheets with a polycation electrolyte of polydiallyl dimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) in different concentrations. A series of e-MnO₂@reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were obtained by electrostatic self-assembly combined with hydrothermal chemical reduction. When PDDA was adjusted to 0.75 g/L, the thickness of e-MnO₂ was ~1.2 nm, and the nanosheets were uniformly adsorbed on the surface of graphene, which shows layer-by-layer morphology with a specific surface area of ~154 m²/g. On account of the unique heterostructure, the composite exhibits good electrochemical performance as supercapacitor electrodes. The specific capacitance of e-MnO₂-0.75@rGO can reach 456 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g in KOH electrolyte, which still remains 201 F/g at 10 A/g. In addition, the capacitance retention is 98.7% after 10000 charge-discharge cycles at 20 A/g. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device of e-MnO₂-0.75@rGO//graphene hydrogel (GH) was assembled, of which the specific capacitance achieves 94 F/g (1 A/g) and the cycle stability is excellent, with a retention rate of 99.3% over 10000 cycles (20 A/g).

Recent Advancements in Electrochemical Deposition of Metal-Based Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Supercapacitors

The demand for energy storage devices with high energy and power densities has increased tremendously in this rapidly growing world. Conventional capacitors, fuel cells, and lithium-ion batteries have been used as energy storage devices for the long term. However, supercapacitors are one of the most promising energy storage devices because of their high specific capacitance, high power density, and longer cycle life. Recent research has focused on synthesizing transition-metal oxides/hydroxides, carbon materials, and conducting polymers as supercapacitor electrode materials. The performance of supercapacitors can be improved by altering electrolytes, electrode materials, current collectors, experimental temperatures, and film thickness. Thousands of papers on supercapacitors have already been published, reflecting the significance and elucidating how much demanding such energy storage devices for this fast-growing generation. This review aims to illustrate the electrode materials loaded on various conductive substrates by electrochemical deposition employed for supercapacitors to provide broad knowledge on synthetic pathways, which will pave the way for future research. We also discussed the basic parameters involved in supercapacitor studies and the advantages of the electrochemical deposition techniques through literature analysis. Finally, future trends and directions on exploring metals/metal composites toward designing and constructing viable, high-class, and even newly featured flexible energy storage materials, electrodes, and systems are presented.

Constructing Morphologically Tunable Copper Oxide-Based Nanomaterials on Cu Wire with/without the Deposition of Manganese Oxide as Bifunctional Materials for Glucose Sensing and Supercapacitors

Morphologically tunable copper oxide-based nanomaterials on Cu wire have been synthesized through a one-step alkali-assisted surface oxidation process for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. Subsequently, copper oxide-based nanomaterials on Cu wire as a supporting matrix to deposit manganese oxide for the construction of heterostructured Mn-Cu bimetallic oxide architectures through spontaneous redox reaction in the KMnO4 solution for supercapacitors. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that morphological and phase transformation from Cu(OH)2 to CuO occurred in copper oxide-based nanomaterials on Cu wire with different degrees of growth reaction. In non-enzymatic glucose sensing, morphologically tunable copper oxide-based nanomaterials owned the high tunability of electrocatalytically active sites and intrinsic catalytic activity to meet efficient glucose electrooxidation for obtaining promoted non-enzymatic glucose sensing performances (sensitivity of 2331 μA mM-1 cm-2 and the limit of detection of 0.02 mM). In the supercapacitor, heterostructured Mn-Cu bimetallic oxide-based nanomaterials delivered abundant redox-active sites and continuous conductive network to optimize the synergistic effect of Mn and Cu redox species for boosting the pseudo-capacitance performance (areal capacitance value of 79.4 mF cm-2 at 0.2 mA cm-2 current density and capacitance retention of 74.9% after 1000 cycles). It concluded that morphologically tunable copper oxide-based nanomaterials on Cu wire with/without deposition of manganese oxide could be good candidates for the future design of synergistic multifunctional materials in electrochemical techniques.

A, Choe Y. A novel β-MnO2 and carbon nanotube composite with potent electrochemical properties synthesized using a microwave-assisted method for use in supercapacitor electrodes

In this work, we report the synthesis of a novel β-MnO2/CNT nanocomposite with good electrical conductivity for high-performance supercapacitors via a microwave-assisted method.

Fabrication of Fe3O4-incorporated MnO2 nanoflowers as electrodes for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitor performance

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is considered a promising aspirant for energy storage materials on account of its higher theoretical capacitance along with low capital cost.

Influence of nickel doping on MnO2 nanoflowers as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Doping is promising strategy for the alteration of nanomaterials to enhance their optical, electrical, and catalytic activities. The development of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) with excellent activity, low cost and durability is essential for the large-scale utilization of energy storage devices such as batteries. In this study, MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires were prepared through a simple co-perception technique. The influence of nickel concentration on electrochemical performance was studied using linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The morphological, thermal, structural, and optical properties  of MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires were examined by SEM, ICP-OES, FT-IR, XRD, UV–Vis, BET and TGA/DTA. Morphological analyses showed that pure MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 had flower-like and nanowire structures, respectively. The XRD study confirmed the phase transformation from ε to α and β phases of MnO2 due to the dopant. It was also noted from the XRD studies that the crystallite sizes of pure MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 were in the range of 2.25–6.6 nm. The band gaps of MnO2 and 0.125 M Ni-doped MnO2 nanoparticles were estimated to be 2.78 and 1.74 eV, correspondingly, which can be seen from UV–Vis. FTIR spectroscopy was used to determine the presence of functional groups and M–O bonds (M = Mn, Ni). The TGA/TDA examination showed that Ni-doping in MnO2 led to an improvement in its thermal properties. The cyclic voltammetry  results exhibited that Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires have remarkable catalytic performance for ORR in 0.1 M KOH alkaline conditions. This work contributes to the facile preparation of highly active and durable catalysts with improved catalytic performance mainly due to the predominance of nickel.

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Review on Comparison of Different Energy Storage Technologies Used in Micro-Energy Harvesting, WSNs, Low-Cost Microelectronic Devices: Challenges and Recommendations

This paper reviews energy storage systems, in general, and for specific applications in low-cost micro-energy harvesting (MEH) systems, low-cost microelectronic devices, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs). With the development of electronic gadgets, low-cost microelectronic devices and WSNs, the need for an efficient, light and reliable energy storage device is increased. The current energy storage systems (ESS) have the disadvantages of self-discharging, energy density, life cycles, and cost. The ambient energy resources are the best option as an energy source, but the main challenge in harvesting energy from ambient sources is the instability of the source of energy. Due to the explosion of lithium batteries in many cases, and the pros associated with them, the design of an efficient device, which is more reliable and efficient than conventional batteries, is important. This review paper focused on the issues of the reliability and performance of electrical ESS, and, especially, discussed the technical challenges and suggested solutions for ESS (batteries, supercapacitors, and for a hybrid combination of supercapacitors and batteries) in detail. Nowadays, the main market of batteries is WSNs, but in the last decade, the world's attention has turned toward supercapacitors as a good alternative of batteries. The main advantages of supercapacitors are their light weight, volume, greater life cycle, turbo charging/discharging, high energy density and power density, low cost, easy maintenance, and no pollution. This study reviews supercapacitors as a better alternative of batteries in low-cost electronic devices, WSNs, and MEH systems.

Fabrication of Robust, Highly Conductive, and Elastic Hybrid Carbon Foam Platform for High-Performance Compressible Asymmetry Supercapacitors

Highly conductive and elastic three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon materials are ideal platforms to fabricate electrodes for high-performance compressible supercapacitors. Herein, a robust, highly conductive, and elastic carbon foam (CF) hybrid material is reported, which is fabricated by integrating cellulose nanofiber/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNF/MWCNT) aerogel sheets with a melamine sponge (MS), followed by carbonization. The carbonized CNF/MWCNT aerogel sheets contribute to the high conductivity and specific surface area of the CF, and the 3D network-like skeleton derived from the carbonization of the MS enhances the elasticity and stability of the CF. More importantly, the CF possesses good scalability, allowing the introduction of electroactive materials such as polypyrrole (PPy) and Fe₃O₄ to fabricate high-performance compressible PPy-CF and Fe₃O₄-CF electrodes. Moreover, an assembled PPy-CF//Fe₃O₄-CF device shows reversible charging-discharging at a voltage of 1.6 V and demonstrates a high specific capacitance (172.5 F/g) and an outstanding energy density (59.9 W h/kg). The device exhibits capacitance retention rates reaching 98.3% and stable energy storage characteristics even under different degrees of compressive deformation. This study offers a scalable strategy for fabricating high-performance compressible supercapacitors, thereby providing a new means of satisfying the energy storage needs of portable electronic devices that are prone to deformation.

Preparation of novel morning glory structure γ-MnO2/carbon nanofiber composite materials with the electrospinning method and their high electrochemical performance

A novel γ-MnO₂/carbon nanofiber composite electrode material with a morning glory structure was prepared for the first time by electrospinning a mixture solution of Mn(CH₃COO)₂ salt and polyacrylonitrile and subsequently treating it with NH₃ atmosphere. The resultant materials were applied in supercapacitors, exhibiting a high voltage of 2 V and high energy density of 15.7 W h kg⁻¹ at the current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ in 1 M Na₂SO₄ solution. In this study, precisely controlling the concentration and time of the reaction resulted in the novel morning glory structure. And the morning glory structure at the surface of the carbon nanofibers increased the specific surface area and shortened the diffusion path for charge transport, increasing the Na⁺/H⁺ ion intercalation capacity, accounting for the high voltage and energy density of the present supercapacitors. These results demonstrated that this new-type of carbon nanofiber with morning glory structure electrode material is potentially superior in obtaining a high voltage for electrode materials and supercapacitors. We hope that these novel materials can expand to different applications in the energy or catalytic field.

The large specific surface area of morning glory, ultra-stable γ-MnO₂/carbon nanofiber radial structure and shorter diffusion path for mass and charge transport could enhance the Na⁺/H⁺ ions intercalation capacity, so as to obtain a 2 V high working potential range.

Electrochemically grown MnO2 nanowires for supercapacitor and electrocatalysis applications

In this study, MnO₂ nanowires are electrochemically grown over a 3D nickel foam (NF) substrate using cyclicvoltammetry at 27 °C; furthermore, their potential for applications in supercapacitors and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highlighted.