Flexible and Highly Stable Textile-Based Symmetric Supercapacitor Comprising Binder-Free MnO₂/rGO-CF Nanocomposite Electrodes

Energy and environmental issues are one of the most serious problems that humanity faces worldwide. Furthermore, highly proficient energy storage technologies are required because most sustainable energy sources are sporadic. Supercapacitors have gained a lot of scientific consideration owing to their good power density, cost-effectiveness, high cyclic stability, and environmental approachability. Here, the structural as well as electrochemical performance of an electrodeposited MnO₂/rGO-conductive fabric (CF) nanocomposite as a binder-free electrode for implementation in supercapacitors is investigated. The morphology of the synthesized MnO₂/rGO nanocomposite was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and its crystalline nature was investigated using x-ray diffraction, while the electrochemical behavior was observed via cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge testing (GCD). The outcomes demonstrated that the synergistic interaction involving the pseudo-capacitance of MnO₂ and high conductivity of graphene generates significant capacitance, and reveals the material's (synthesized) potential as supercapacitor electrodes. At 2 mA (4 A/g), the MnO₂/rGO-CF nanocomposite demonstrated a satisfactory specific capacitance of 360.04 F/g. Moreover, the synthesized nanocomposite of MnO₂/rGO-CF is capable of functioning in either the cathode or the anode role. Further, the fabricated symmetric supercapacitor sustained ~ 100% of its capacitance after 10,000 GCD cycles, which demonstrates its outstanding cyclic stability. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]