Effect of surface hydrophilicity on the supercapacitive performance of carbon paper

Abstract

In this paper, the surface hydrophilicity of carbon paper was modified by use of Caro’s acid, and MnO2 electrodeposited on carbon paper (CP) or surface-modified carbon paper (SMCP) were prepared through an anodic electrochemical deposition method. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra of CP, SMCP-30, SMCP-60, and SMCP-90 indicated that the peaks at 1054, 1214, 1722, and 3426 cm−1 correspond to the stretching vibrations of C–O, C–H, C=O, and –OH. Our study results show that with the extension period of oxidation treatment time, the corresponding content of these groups C–O, C–H, C=O, and –OH increased; then, their surface hydrophilic properties enhanced; and finally, their capacitances increased. This study results indicate that introducing these groups C–O, C–H, C=O, and –OH into the surface of electrode materials is an important strategy for improving their capacitances.