Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots/MnCO3/ZnMn2O4 on Ni Foam Composites for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

Abstract

This study reports the facile synthesis of rationally designed composite materials consisting of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) and MnCO3/ZnMn2O4 (N/MC/ZM) on Ni foam using a simple hydrothermal method to produce high-performance supercapacitor applications. The N/MC/ZM composite was uniformly synthesized on a Ni foam surface with the hierarchical structure of microparticles and nanosheets, and the uniform deposition of N-GQDs on a MC/ZM surface was observed. The incorporation of N-GQDs with MC/ZM provides good conductivity, charge transfer, and electrolyte diffusion for a better electrochemical performance. The N/MC/ZM composite electrode delivered a high specific capacitance of 960.6 F·g−1 at 1 A·g−1, low internal resistance, and remarkable cycling stability over 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. Additionally, an all-flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device was fabricated using the N/MC/ZM composite electrode. The fabricated ASC device produced a maximum energy density of 58.4 Wh·kg−1 at a power density of 800 W·kg−1 and showed a stable capacitive performance while being bent, with good mechanical stability. These results provide a promising and effective strategy for developing supercapacitor electrodes with a high areal capacitance and high energy density.