Incorporation of photonic material BNNT into the PANI@MgO matrix to boost energy density for supercapacitor application

Abstract

Supercapacitors have garnered significant interest in the realm of electrical energy storage due to their remarkable attributes of high power density and extended cycle life. The electroactive electrode materials embedded within these systems play a crucial role in augmenting both energy density and capacitance. This study presents a novel exploration into the intercalation and distinct characteristics of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) within different ratios of MgO/PANI (PANI/MgO/h-BN) composite using a one-pot oxidative polymerization method for supercapacitor applications. The compositional analysis of the composite was comprehensively conducted through techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge studies (GCD), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The average crystallite sizes computed for PANI/MgO/h-BN, denoted as A (1:1:1), B (1:1:2), C (1:1:3), and D (1:1:4), were 26 nm, 22 nm, 20 nm, and 18 nm, respectively. The specific capacitance values obtained from GCD were found to be 437F/g, 1609F/g, 1695F/g, and 2105F/g, accompanied by energy densities of 10.1 Wh/kg, 19.3 Wh/kg, 32.2 Wh/kg, and 42.9 Wh/kg, respectively. The outcomes underscore that the composite exhibits a propensity for elevated specific capacitance as the loading capacity of h-BN is escalated, displaying a notable absence of saturation.