Fabrication and characterization of MnO2 based composite sheets for development of flexible energy storage electrodes

Development of cost efficient, flexible and light weight paper electrodes for high-tech applications is high in demand in era of modern disposable technology. In this study α-MnO2 nanorods were fabricated through hydrothermal method by varying growth time and further combined with lignocelluloses fibers extracted from self growing plant, Monochoria Vaginalis. Crystal structure, morphology and thermal properties of MnO2 nanorods were characterized by X. Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), respectively. FESEM image analysis revealed the highest aspect ratio of 48.016 for 4 h treated MnO2 sample and high purity level was confirmed by XRD. MnO2 sample with high aspect ratio, relatively pure and larger yield was selected for incorporation of lignocelluloses fibers to fabricate flexible, light-weight and environmentally safe LC/MnO2 composite paper sheet. Furthermore, LC/MnO2 composite sheet was employed as working electrode in 2 M sodium sulfate electrolyte for cyclic voltammetry measurements. Presented LC/MnO2 composite sheet revealed specific capacitances 117, 59, 39, 25 and 23 F/g at scan rates of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mV/s, respectively. Incorporation of LC fibers within MnO2 nanorods as binders will open the possibilities to fabricate the flexible paper electrode for application in supercapacitors and batteries due to facile synthesis, light-weight and environmentally friendly aspects.