Pseudocapacitive effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes-functionalised spinel copper manganese oxide

Abstract

Spinel copper manganese oxide nanoparticles combined with acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CuMn2O4/MWCNTs) were used in the development of electrodes for pseudocapacitor applications. The CuMn2O4/MWCNTs preparation involved initial synthesis of Mn3O4 and CuMn2O4 precursors followed by an energy efficient reflux growthmethod for the CuMn2O4/MWCNTs. The CuMn2O4/MWCNTs in a three-electrode cell assembly and in 3 M LiOH aqueous electrolyte exhibited a specific capacitance of 1652.91 F gð€€€1 at 0.5 A gð€€€1 current load. Similar investigation in 3 M KOH aqueous electrolyte delivered a specific capacitance of 653.41 F gð€€€1 at 0.5 A gð€€€1 current load. Stability studies showed that after 6000 cycles, the CuMn2O4/MWCNTs electrode exhibited a higher capacitance retention (88%) in LiOH than in KOH (64%).