Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoflakes as a cathode for battery-supercapacitor hybrid

This study reports a rapid and scalable synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoflakes using a microwave-assisted synthesis technique. The material was physicochemically (XRD, XPS, Nitrogen adsorption, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX) and electrochemically (CV, GCD, and EIS) characterized for evaluating its chemical, surface, and electrochemical properties. The supercapacitive charge storage property of the electrode was tested in 3 M KOH and 3 M LiOH, and battery-type electrolyte ion intercalation was the cause of the charge storage. A maximum specific capacitance of 268 C g(-1) was obtained for the MnCo2O4 electrode in 3 M KOH at a current density of 0.5 A g(-1). It was determined that 3 M KOH enhanced the capacitance of the MnCo2O4 electrode owing to the lower electrode resistance (1.2 Omega) and charge transfer resistance value (0.13 Omega). The MnCo2O4 nanoflake electrode delivered superior cycling stability of similar to 96% after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles in 3 M KOH, proving its practical utility. A battery-supercapacitor hybrid (BSH) was fabricated using MnCo2O4 nanoflakes as cathode and commercial AC as an anode. The BSH device delivered a maximum energy density of 38.9 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 4.91 kW kg(-1) and retained similar to 98% of its initial capacitance after 5000 charge-discharge cycles.

Automated summary

This study presents a method for rapid and scalable synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoflakes using microwave-assisted synthesis technique, and characterizes its chemical, surface, and electrochemical properties. It was found that 3M KOH enhanced the specific capacitance of the electrode and provided good cycling stability.