Liquid crystalline phase synthesis of nanoporous MnO2 thin film arrays as an electrode material for electrochemical capacitors

Three-dimensional (3D) MnO2 thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is electrodeposited on Ti foil from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase. Low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), wide-angle XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to study the morphology and the structure of the as-synthesized MnO2 materials. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements show the nanoporous, 3D electrode material exhibits excellent capacitive performance between the potential range of −0.1 to 0.9 V, and a maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g−1 are achieved in 0.5 M Na2SO4 solution at a charge/discharge current density of 4 A g−1.

Graphical abstractThree-dimensional (3D) MnO2 thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is electrodeposited on Ti foil from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase. Low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), wide-angle XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to study the morphology and the structure of the as-synthesized MnO2 materials. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements show the nanoporous, 3D electrode material exhibits excellent capacitive performance between the potential range of −0.1 to 0.9 V, and a maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g−1 are achieved in 0.5 M Na2SO4 solution at a charge/discharge current density of 4 A g−1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 3D MnO2 thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is fabricated for the first time. ► A maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g−1 is obtained. ► The 3D and nanoporous superarchitecture facilitate electrolyte penetration.