Electrodeposited ruthenium oxide thin films for supercapacitor: Effect of surface treatments

Amorphous and porous ruthenium oxide thin films have been deposited from aqueous Ru(III)Cl3 solution on stainless steel substrates using electrodeposition method. Cyclic voltammetry study of a film showed a maximum specific capacitance of 650 F g−1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. The surface treatments such as air annealing, anodization and ultrasonic weltering affected surface morphology. The supercapacitance of ruthenium oxide electrode is found to be dependent on the surface morphology.