Supercapacitor and non-enzymatic biosensor application of an Mn2O3/NiCo2O4 composite material

Abstract

An efficient way to enhance the energy density of a supercapacitor device is to improve the electrochemical activity of the anode and cathode materials. The electrochemical performance of the NiCo₂O₄ metal oxide is enhanced by assembling a composite with Mn₂O₃. Herein, a Mn₂O₃/NiCo₂O₄ composite material was synthesized via a one-step in situ hydrothermal method, and the electrochemical and electrocatalytic behaviours were studied. The Mn₂O₃/NiCo₂O₄ battery-type electrode material exhibited a maximum specific capacity value of 824 C g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and a superior cyclic stability (85%), making it a suitable anode material for supercapacitor application. A Mn₂O₃/NiCo₂O₄//AC asymmetric device exhibited maximum energy density and power density values of 48.6 W h kg⁻¹ and 6.4 kW kg⁻¹, respectively. The superior electrochemical performance of the Mn₂O₃/NiCo₂O₄ composite material inspired us to apply it as an electrocatalyst for glucose sensing. The limit of glucose detection and the linear range of the Mn₂O₃/NiCo₂O₄ electrocatalytic material were 35 μM and 0.01–15 mM, respectively.