Synthesis and enhanced electrochemical supercapacitor properties of Ag-MnO₂-polyaniline nanocomposite electrodes

Ternary Ag/MnO₂/PANI (silver/manganese oxide/polyaniline) nanocomposite thin films were synthesized for supercapacitor applications using a new synthetic strategy including a pulsed potential electrodeposition technique. The agglomerated nanoscale-vermicular-like structure of the pure PANI is converted into more uniform vermicular morphology containing Ag and MnO₂. The electrochemical supercapacitor properties of the ternary nanocomposite films are investigated in a 0.5M LiClO₄+PC electrolyte. The current density of the Ag/MnO₂/PANI nanocomposite film obtained from the CV (cyclic voltammogram) is much higher than that of the pure PANI. Furthermore, the specific capacitance of the ternary Ag/MnO₂/PANI nanocomposite is calculated to be 621F/g and 800F/g from CV and CD (charge-discharge) measurements, respectively. The cycling stability of the ternary nanocomposites (as high as ~83%) is significantly enhanced compared to that of a pure PANI (~66%) sample.