CuMn2O4 spinel anchored on graphene nanosheets as a novel electrode material for supercapacitor

Copper manganese oxide-graphene (CuMn2O4-RGO) composite was prepared by sol-gel method and then synthesized by physical grinding, which was further applied to electrode materials for supercapacitors. The structure and morphology of the composites were analyzed by means of characterization, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and Raman. The electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic life were used to investigate electrochemical properties of CuMn2O4-RGO so as to optimize its composition. Through the comparison of electrochemical properties at different mass ratios, current densities and scan rates, it was found that when the mass ratio was m (CuMn2O4): m (RGO) =1:1, the as-prepared CuMn2O4-RGO exhibited the excellent electrochemical properties. The capacitance reached 342 F g(-1) at the current density of 1.0 A g(-1), which was significantly higher than that of pure CuMn2O4 and RGO. The higher capacitance performance can be comparable with the reported literature value. Meanwhile, the energy density of CuMn2O4-RGO (1:1) is significantly higher than that of CuMn2O4 and RGO. Therefore, CuMn2O4-RGO (1:1) composite has a good prospect as electrode material for supercapacitor.

Automated summary

The Copper manganese oxide-graphene (CuMn2O4-RGO) composite was prepared using the sol-gel method and physical grinding, and then applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze the structure and morphology of the composites. Through electrochemical tests, it was found that the CuMn2O4-RGO composite at a mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited excellent electrochemical properties, with higher capacitance and energy density compared to pure CuMn2O4 and RGO. The composite shows promising potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors.