Hydrothermal synthesis of urchin-like MnO2 nanostructures and its electrochemical character for supercapacitor

• Published in: Applied surface science 2015-10, Vol.351, p.862-868
• Main Authors: Zhao, Shuoqing, Liu, Tianmo, Shi, Dongfeng, Zhang, Yu, Zeng, Wen, Li, Tianming, Miao, Bin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capacitance; Capacitors; Cycles; Electron microscopy; Hydrothermal; Ion beams; Nanostructure; Nanowires; Supercapacitor; Supercapacitors; Synthesis; Urchin-like structure; α-MnO2
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.06.045

•Urchin-like α-MnO2 nanostructures were synthesized via a hydrothermal process.•The possible formation mechanism of the urchin-like α-MnO2 was discussed.•The evolution of the urchin-like nanostructures due to the increase of reaction temperature.•The urchin-like α-MnO2 exhibits high specific capacitance of 151.5Fg−1.•The urchin-like α-MnO2 shows 93.4% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. Urchin-like α-MnO2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process at different synthesis temperatures without using any template or surfactant. The microstructure and morphology of as-synthesized products were systematically investigated by focused ion beam, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical test of the prepared MnO2 exhibits ideal cyclic voltammetry behavior, high specific capacitance (151.5Fg−1 at a current density of 1Ag−1) and excellent cycling stability (93.4% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles) which suggests its promising application as supercapacitor.