ELECTROCHEMICAL FABRICATION OF Mn2O3/MPC COMPOSITE FILM ELECTRODE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUPERCAPACITORS

Abstract

A composite film consisting of metal oxide (Mn₂O₃) and mesoporous carbon (MPC) was synthesised using the self-assembled spin coating soft templating method and incipient wetness of impregnation. The Mn₂O₃/MPC composite was characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical performance of synthesised composites in an electrolyte of 1 M potassium chloride (KCl) was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic measurement of charge-discharge (GCD) and impedance analysis (EIS). Because of the pseudocapacitance of the dispersed Mn₂O₃ particles on the MPC surface, all composites with different Mn salt content showed higher specific capacitance than the pure MPC. The specific capacitance of the composite electrode when 10 wt% Mn salt was coated on the surface of MPC could reach 53.59 mF cm^-2. The R_ct value for the optimum composite film Mn₂O₃/MPC-10 wt% was 0.3 Ω lower than the MPC's carbon transfer resistance. The results showed that Mn₂O₃ can be used effectively in the electrode with the aid of MPC film components. This composite is very promising for the next generation of high performance electrochemical supercapacitors.