Mn2O3/carbon aerogel microbead composites synthesized by in situ coating method for supercapacitors

A series of Mn2O3/carbon aerogel microbead (Mn2O3/CAMB) composites for supercapacitor electrodes have been synthesized by in situ encapsulation method. The structure and morphology of Mn2O3/CAMB are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical performances of the synthesized composites are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement. All the composites with different Mn2O3 contents show higher specific capacitance than pure CAMB due to the pseudo-capacitance of the Mn2O3 particles dispersed on the surface of CAMB. The highest specific capacitance is up to 368.01 F g−1 when 10 wt% Mn2O3 is coated on the surface of CAMB. Besides, 10%-Mn2O3/CAMB supercapacitor exhibits excellent cyclic stability, the specific capacitance still retains 90% of initial capacitance over 5000 cycles.

► Mn2O3/CAMB composite materials for supercapacitor were prepared by in situ coating method.
► The optimum amount of Mn2O3 in Mn2O3/CAMB composite is 10 wt%.
► Coating nano-sized Mn2O3 on the CAMB could improve the supercapacitive behaviors of composites.