MnHCF/MnO_2 Core-shell Nanostructures as Cathode Material for Supercapacitors with High Energy Density

A nanocomposite of manganese dioxide coated manganese hexacyanoferrate was synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method and tested as active electrode material for an electrochemical supercapacitor. A way called "Deep electro-oxidation" was used to generate manganese dioxide coated layer for stabilizing the electrode material. The structure and ingredient of the resulting MnHCF/MnO2 composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Electrochemical testing showed a capacitance of 225.6 F/g at a sweep rate of 5 mV/s within a voltage range of 1.3 V, and high energy density of 37.2 Wh/kg at a current density of 0.5 A/g in galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. It is suggested that the two different components, manganese hexacyanoferrate core and manganese dioxide shell, lead to an integrated electrochemical behavior, and an enhanced capacitor. The electrochemical testing and corresponding XPS analysis also demonstrated that the manganese coordinated by cyanide groups via nitrogen atoms in MnHCF did not get involved in the charge storage process during potential cycles.