Low temperature solution processed Mn₃O₄nanoparticles: Enhanced performance of electrochemical supercapacitors

Well-crystalline Mn₃O₄nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by an economical and high yield facile low temperature solution process at 80 °C for electro-active electrode materials in supercapacitor applications. The semispherical morphology of Mn₃O₄NPs was observed which have the average particle size of 20–30 nm. The crystalline, structural, compositional and optical properties of synthesized materials evidenced the formation of Mn₃O₄without existing any other oxide phases, possessing the typical tetragonal structure of Mn₃O₄with the band gap of 2.37 eV. To evaluate the properties of the synthesized Mn₃O₄NPs as effective electrode in electrochemical double layer supercapacitors (EDLCs), the cyclicvoltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling analysis were carried out in 2 M TEABF₄electrolyte. Mn₃O₄NPs electrode with activated carbon showed the highest capacitance of ∼216 Fg⁻¹as compared to bare AC and bare Mn₃O₄NPs electrodes. An excellent stability by maintaining ∼85% of initial value after 1000 cycles was recorded for Mn₃O₄NPs-AC electrode based EDLC.