Nanoarchitectonics of polyaniline derived carbon electrodes incorporating transition metal oxides for supercapacitor devices

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237230

This research explores the development and characterization of polyaniline (PANI)-derived carbon-based electrodes as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. PANI is conducted through in situ copolymerization. Subsequent carbonization transforms the material, enhancing its inherent electrochemical properties. We further improve these materials by incorporating transition metal oxides, specifically manganese oxide (MnO2) and cobalt(II) nitride (Co(NO3)2), aiming to refine their electrochemical characteristics. Applying potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an activator expands the surface area and pore volume. Its surface area is among the highest carbon-based materials, with a value of 361.06 m2/g, as a PANI-derived activated carbon incorporating MnO2 (A.C-PANI:MnO2:KOH) with high micropores and mesopores. Electrochemical analyses show that MnO2 and Co3O4 incorporated reduced carbonized PANI's (C-PANI) specific capacitance, energy, and power density in symmetric designs while improving upon activation with KOH. Notably, the supercapacitor employing activated C-PANI:MnO2 as an electrode material displays exceptional performance, characterized by a specific capacitance reaching approximately 357 F/g. This underscores its potential as an outstanding candidate for high-efficiency supercapacitors. This study's promising synthetic method demonstrates the ability to produce nitrogen- and oxygen-containing carbon materials with a specific surface area for high-performance supercapacitors.