Highly stable TiO2/g-C3N4 composite electrodes for quasi-solid-state supercapacitor applications

Abstract

Supercapacitor research focuses on cheap, long-lasting electrode materials. As a semiconductor, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is cheap and chemically stable, making it a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. The goal is to improve carbon-based composites by hybridizing conductive materials. The graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a stable and common allotrope of C3N4. Its optical, electrical, and structural properties make it a good hybrid system for supercapacitors. With a simple, affordable, and successful thermal decomposition method, we synthesized a TiO2/g-C3N4 composite material. Supercapacitors have 20.6 F g−1 specific capacitance, 63 Wh kg−1 energy density, and 92 % Coulombic efficiency. The TiO2/g-C3N4 composite showed highly stable electrochemical performance even after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles.