Green synthesis of MnO2 via plant extracts and its composite with exfoliated graphene for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

Abstract

Pure MnO2 nanostructure oxides were synthesized by a green synthesis method using purified natural extracts of watercress (MW) and spinach (MS) as benign and economical reducing agents for KMnO4. The MnO2/graphene composites (GMW and GMS) were prepared through a physical mixing process, in which MnO2 oxide was uniformly loaded on graphene sheets. The composition, morphology, and microstructure of the as-prepared oxides and composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). Additionally, the supercapacitive performance was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD). The results imply that the composites GMS and GMW exhibit specific capacitances of 334 and 500 F/g at 1 A/g, respectively, and GMW shows a capacitance retention of 71 % after 7000 cycles at 200 mV/s. Herein, the charge storage mechanism in MnO2/graphene composites is discussed in detail. An asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled using the GMW composite and graphene as positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The as-assembled ASC device GMW//GE was scanned reversibly at a voltage of 0–1.8 V and showed a specific capacitance of 167 F/g at 0.5 A/g with a rate capability of 77 % (128.3 F/g at 5 A/g). Moreover, the ASC exhibited excellent cycle stability of 94 % after 2000 cycles and an energy density of 18.9 Wh/kg at a power density of 2.25 kW/kg. These encouraging results showed enormous potential in developing supercapacitors with enhanced performance for practical applications.