Multicore-shell MnO2@Ppy@N-doped porous carbon nanofiber ternary composites as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors

In this study, a multicore-shell ternary composite electrode material (MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs) with excellent electrochemical performances was prepared by using surface modification, in which core-shell Ppy@N-doped porous carbon nanofibers (Ppy@NPCNFs) with large specific surface area and high conductivity were used as the substrate (a multicore layer), and MnO2 was loaded on the substrate by hydrothermal synthesis to form a shell layer, further improving the SC of electrode material. The parameters of hydrothermal growth of MnO2 on Ppy@NPCNFs were explored by means of the control variable method and response surface methodology, and the optimal parameters were predicted and verified. Electrochemical test results showed that the SC of MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs prepared under the optimal reaction parameters was as high as 595.77 F g-1, and its capacitance retention was 96.2 % after 1000 cycles. Moreover, a symmetric supercapacitor prepared with the optimal multicore-shell electrode showed an energy density of 9.36 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 1000 W kg-1 and a retention rate of 92.46 % after 1000 cycles, indicating the promising application of multicore-shell ternary composite electrode material in high-performance supercapacitors.

Automated summary

In this study, a multicore-shell ternary composite electrode material (MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs) was prepared by using surface modification, which showed excellent electrochemical performances. The core-shell Ppy@N-doped porous carbon nanofibers (Ppy@NPCNFs) were used as a substrate, and MnO2 was loaded on the substrate by hydrothermal synthesis. The optimal parameters for the hydrothermal growth of MnO2 on Ppy@NPCNFs were explored, and the resulting MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs exhibited high specific capacitance and good capacitance retention.