Direct Synthesis of MnO₂ Nanorods on Carbon Cloth as Flexible Supercapacitor Electrode

Abstract

MnO 2 nanorod/carbon cloth (MnO 2 /CC) composites were prepared through in situ redox deposition as freestanding electrodes for flexible supercapacitors. The CC substrates possessing porous and interconnecting structures enable the uniform decoration of MnO 2 nanorods on each fiber, thus forming conformal coaxial micro/nanocomposites. Three-dimensional CC can provide considerable specific surface area for high mass loading of MnO 2 , and the direct deposition process without using polymeric binders enables reliable electrical connection of MnO 2 with CC. The effect of MnO 2 decoration on the electrochemical performances was further investigated, indicating that the electrode prepared with 40 min deposition time shows high specific capacitance (220 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s) and good cycling property (90% of the initial specific capacitance was maintained after 2500 cycles) in 1 M Na 2 SO 4 aqueous solution. This enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of good conductivity of carbon substrates as well as outstanding pseudocapacitance of MnO 2 nanorods. The obtained MnO 2 /CC compositing electrode with the advantages of low cost and easy fabrication is promising in applications of flexible supercapacitors.