Synthesis of Sn-doped Mn3O4/C nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrodes with remarkable capacity retention

•A simple approach was developed to synthesize Sn doped Mn3O4/C nanocomposite.•The potential application as supercapacitor electrode was tested.•The as-synthesized nanocomposite shows excellent rate capability and cycling stability.•A ~93% capacitance retention after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles was achieved.

Sn-doped Mn3O4/C nanocomposite was synthesized using Pluronics P123 (EO20PO70EO20) as both structure-directing agent and carbon source. The phase and morphology was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The electrochemical performance of the sample was tested in 6 M KOH A high specific capacitance of 216 F g−1 was achieved at current density of 5 A g−1, and 93% capacitance retention remained after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles.