Preparation and electrochemical properties of CPAC/Mn3O 4 nanocomposite electrode

Abstract

Novel nanocomposite electrode, coke powder activated carbon/Mn 3O4 (CPAC/Mn3O4), was prepared by Sol-Gel method using CPAC/Mn(OH)2 as a precursor. The CPAC/Mn 3O4 was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the composite electrode material has a nano-rod structure and Mn3O4 is in mixed phase composed of MnO and MnO2. The influence factors on the electrochemical performance of electrode materials including manganese content of the precursor, different calcining temperature and time of the precursor were investigated. The results obtained from electrochemical measurement show that the electrode possesses better electrochemical performance with a manganese content of 20 wt % in precursor. In addition, the specific capacitance of CPAC/Mn3O4 nanocomposite electrode material could reach up to 277 F g-1 at a calcining temperature of 500 C and a calcining time of 3 h, respectively. © 2012 The Author(s).