Functionalized and Chemically Exfoliated Molybdenum Oxide Nanosheets As Hybrid Electrodes for High Energy Density Supercapacitors

Abstract

Energy storage systems are critical for regulating and implementing intermittent renewable resources. In addition, the fast development of energy storage systems accelerated the development of electric vehicles. Supercapacitors' unique properties such as high energy storage, high power output, and varied operational range shall allow them to close the gap between batteries and conventional capacitors.1 In the last few decades, enormous efforts were exalted to enhance the supercapacitors' performance by developing new electrode materials that have a structure with an easy ion diffusion path and a high electrochemical surface area.2 In this work, modified molybdenum oxide (MoOx) nanocomposites have been prepared using a facile hydrothermal-aided process, resulting in 3-dimensional (3D) crumpled MoOx nanosheets intercalated with sulfanilamide (SA) or Adenine (Ad). The intercalation of SA or Ad prevented the aggregation of the MoOx nanosheets and allowed the diffusion of electrolyte ions into the MoOx layers. The synthesized MoOx nanocomposites electrodes exhibited a high specific capacitance at 2 A/g and high stability at 10 A/g over 3000 cycles. The assembled symmetric supercapacitor device consisting of MoOx nanocomposites delivered specific energy and specific power of 66.74 Wh/kg and 3 kW/kg, respectively at 3 A/g, demonstrating a high potential for use in constructing high-performance supercapacitors.