Multidimensional MnO2 nanohair-decorated hybrid multichannel carbon nanofiber as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D)-structured nanomaterials represent one of the most attractive candidates for energy-storage systems due to their contribution to design simplicity, fast charge-transportation network, and their allowance for more accessible ion diffusion. In particular, 1D-structured nanomaterials with a highly complex inner-pore configuration enhance functionality by taking advantage of both the hollow and 1D structures. In this study, we report a MnO₂ nanohair-decorated, hybrid multichannel carbon nanofiber (Mn_MCNF) fabricated via single-nozzle co-electrospinning of two immiscible polymer solutions, followed by carbonization and redox reactions. With improved ion accessibility, the optimized Mn_MCNF sample (Mn_MCNF_60 corresponding to a reaction duration time of 60 min for optimal MnO₂ nanohair growth) exhibited a high specific capacitance of 855 F g⁻¹ and excellent cycling performance with ∼87.3% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles.