MnO2-Embedded-in-Mesoporous-Carbon-Wall Structure for Use as Electrochemical Capacitors

We present an in situ reduction method to synthesize a novel structured MnO2/mesoporous carbon (MnC) composite. MnO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized and embedded into the mesoporous carbon wall of CMK-3 materials by the redox reaction between permanganate ions and carbons. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen sorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry were employed to characterize these composite materials. The results show that different MnO2 contents could be introduced into the pores of CMK-3 treated with different concentrations of potassium permanganate aqueous solution, while retaining the ordered mesostructure and larger surface area. Increasing the MnO2 content did not result in a decrease in pore size from the data of nitrogen sorption isotherms, indicating that MnO2 nanoparticles are embedded in the pore wall, as evidenced by TEM observation. We obtained a large specific capacitance over 200 F/g for the MnC composite and 600 F/g for the MnO2, and these materials have high electrochemical stability and high reversibility.