Morphologically controlled synthesis of MnCo2O4 arrays on ACF as binder-free electrode for asymmetric supercapacitor

MnCo2O4 with a unique spinel structure has great potential as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this work, MnCo2O4 nano-arrays with controllable morphologies were pleasingly deposited on the surface of ACF by a simple hydrothermal route followed by an annealing process. The MnCo2O4@ACF binder-free electrode with nanowire morphology exhibited the most excellent electrochemical performance: specific capacitance of 1.58 mAh center dot cm(-2) at 1 mA.cm(-2) and 89.13% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 5 A.g(-1). Asymmetric supercapacitor devices were assembled to further investigate the performance of the composite electrodes. A high energy density of 47.83 Wh.kg(-1) was obtained at 1.0 A.g(-1) with a power density of 2623.45 W.kg(-1). In the light of the above results, active layers with controllable morphology and fabrication of binder-free composite electrode systems may provide feasible design ideas for advanced electrode materials of high-performance supercapacitors.

Automated summary

In this study, MnCo2O4 nano-arrays with controllable morphologies were deposited on the surface of ACF using a hydrothermal route and an annealing process. The nanowire-shaped MnCo2O4@ACF binder-free electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance and the composite electrodes showed high energy density and power density. These findings suggest that the design of advanced electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors could benefit from the fabrication of controllable morphologies and binder-free composite electrode systems.