A ternary composite with manganese dioxide nanorods and graphene nanoribbons embedded in a polyaniline matrix for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

A new ternary composite of manganese dioxide (MnO₂), polyaniline (PANI) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has been fabricated through a two-step polymerization process. With manganese dioxide nanorods and graphene nanoribbons embedded in the PANI matrix, the MnO₂/GNRs/PANI ternary composites with 3-dimensional porous structures exhibited higher specific capacitance and better charge–discharge cycling performance than that of MnO₂ and MnO₂/GNRs binary composites in supercapacitors. The specific capacitance of the MnO₂/PANI/GNRs ternary composite can be achieved at 472 F g⁻¹. After 5000 cycles, the specific capacitance with 79.7% of the initial capacitance can be preserved. The enhanced specific capacitance and cycle life implies the structural stability of MnO₂/GNRs/PANI ternary composites and the synergistic effect between MnO₂, GNRs and PANI.