Nanostructured MnCo2O4as a high-performance electrode for supercapacitor application

In this work, the MnCo(2)O(4)nanorods are prepared by a simple hydrothermal route using urea as both a stabilizing and structure-directing agent for supercapacitor application. The morphological features of the prepared materials were characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The chemical and the crystal structure were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The morphological analysis showed rod-like structures with a diameter of 50-60 nm and length of 1-2 mu m respectively. The XRD pattern showed that the particles are crystalline and belong to the cubic spinel structure. The chemical composition was inferred from the XPS analysis. The formation of metal-oxygen bond is inferred using FTIR, and BET showed a high surface area of 41.80 m(2)g(-1). The electrochemical characterization of MnCo(2)O(4)nanorods was performed in 2 M KOH solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and impedance analysis. The CV studies showed a pseudocapacitance behaviour of the electrode, and the GCD studies revealed a specific capacitance of 187.5 Fg(-1)at a current density of 0.25 Ag-1. The electrode exhibited good cyclic stability by retaining 90% of the initial value after 5000 cycles. The specific capacitance was also estimated from the impedance analysis and the pseudocapacitive nature of the MnCo(2)O(4)electrode was analysed. Further, the fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor (AC MnCo(2)O(4)nanorods) provides the specific capacitance of 76 Fg(-1)at a current density of 0.25 Ag-1. The results indicate that the MnCo(2)O(4)can be a promising candidate for supercapacitor application.

Automated summary

In this study, MnCo(2)O(4) nanorods were successfully prepared using urea as a stabilizing and directing agent. Characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, and XPS were used to study the morphological, chemical, and crystal structure of the materials. The electrochemical performance of MnCo(2)O(4) nanorods in supercapacitor application was evaluated, showing promising results with high specific capacitance and cyclic stability. The asymmetric supercapacitor fabricated using AC MnCo(2)O(4) nanorods also demonstrated good specific capacitance, indicating the potential of MnCo(2)O(4) for supercapacitor applications.