Facile synthesis and electrochemical investigations of Tin-doped MnO2/carbon nanotube composites

Abstract

The composites of carbon nanotube (CNT) supported by Sn-doped MnO2 with enhanced capacitance have been fabricated with varying dopant concentrations. The composites have been subjected to physiochemical, configurational, and morphological analyses by FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction studies. The electrochemical performance of the composite has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge techniques. Highest specific capacitances of 940 F g−1 at a current density of 0.35 A g−1 and 927 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution was achieved in the case of 5% Sn doped composite. Moreover, the electrode demonstrated good cycling performance and retaining 79.7% of the initial capacitance over 3000 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance is accredited mainly to the porous sheath hierarchical architecture, which consist of inter connected MnO2 nanoneedles uniformly coated over the CNT surface. This peculiar architecture is responsible for fast ion/electron transfer and easy access of the active material.