Optimizing Energy Storage Performance: In situ Synthesized Manganese Oxide (Mn3O4) Nanoparticle-Based Symmetric Supercapacitor on a Paper Substrate

Abstract

In this study, a redox reaction is employed to synthesize manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles using potassium permanganate as a precursor in the presence of diethyl amine. The structural characterization reveals the formation of the tetragonal phase of Mn3O4 nanoparticles with a space group of I41/amd. A free-standing Mn3O4-based paper electrode is fabricated and its electrochemical performances are investigated. The electrode exhibits a maximum specific capacitance value of ~353 F g−1 and an areal capacitance of ~530 mF cm−2 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1. A symmetric supercapacitor-based device is also designed using Mn3O4 nanoparticles as an active material in a gel electrolyte configuration. The Mn3O4 device achieves specific and areal capacity values of ~208 mAh g−1 and 260 mA cm−2, respectively, at a current density of 0.3 A g−1. The device delivers maximum energy and power density values of ~104 Wh kg−1 and ~220 W kg−1, respectively, with ~92 % specific capacity retention at 0.3 A g−1 after 5000 cycles. The above results suggest that the Mn3O4-based device has the potential for energy storage applications.