Liquid crystalline phase synthesis of nanoporous MnO{sub 2} thin film arrays as an electrode material for electrochemical capacitors
Graphical abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) MnO{sub 2} thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is electrodeposited on Ti foil from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase. Low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), wide-angle XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to study the morphology and the structure of the as-synthesized MnO{sub 2} materials. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements show the nanoporous, 3D electrode material exhibits excellent capacitive performance between the potential range of −0.1 to 0.9 V, and a maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g{sup −1} are achieved in 0.5 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} solution at a charge/discharge current density of 4 A g{sup −1}. Highlights: ► 3D MnO{sub 2} thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is fabricated for the first time. ► A maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g{sup −1} is obtained. ► The 3D and nanoporous superarchitecture facilitate electrolyte penetration. -- Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) MnO{sub 2} thin film arrays with nanoporous structure is electrodeposited on Ti foil from hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase. Low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), wide-angle XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to study the morphology and the structure of the as-synthesized MnO{sub 2} materials. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements show the nanoporous, 3D electrode material exhibits excellent capacitive performance between the potential range of −0.1 to 0.9 V, and a maximum specific capacitance as high as 462 F g{sup −1} are achieved in 0.5 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} solution at a charge/discharge current density of 4 A g{sup −1}.