Enhancing supercapacitive performance: integration of bio-mass-derived carbon into a CaMn3O6 nanocomposite

Abstract

A metal oxide consisting of calcium and manganese (CaMn₃O₆) in a spherical architecture was successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. Subsequently, Ipomoea carnea-derived carbon (IC) was synthesized and a nanocomposite with CaMn₃O₆ was formed. The pure CaMn₃O₆ exhibited a higher surface area of 111 m² g⁻¹ and CaMn₃O₆/IC showed a surface area of 101 m² g⁻¹ with enhanced pore volume, which was desirable in delivering better capacitance. The electrode materials were tested in both three-electrode and two-electrode systems in which CaMn₃O₆ delivered a capacitance of 294 F g⁻¹ and CaMn₃O₆/IC delivered a capacitance of 414 F g⁻¹. Furthermore, on fabricating a pouch-cell type asymmetric supercapacitor, CaMn₃O₆‖AC device showed a capacitance of 76 F g⁻¹ and CaMn₃O₆/IC‖AC device delivered a capacitance of 116 F g⁻¹. In addition, the CaMn₃O₆/IC‖AC device showed superior stability and capacitance retention, which can be associated with the presence of an IC matrix. Utilizing the CaMn₃O₆/IC‖AC pouch-cell device, an LED bulb was operated to test for real-time applications.