Nanorods to hexagonal nanosheets of CuO-doped manganese oxide nanostructures for higher electrochemical supercapacitor performance

In this work, the extraordinary properties of CuO addition on the morphology and supercapacitive performance of Mn₂O₃ electrodes were demonstrated. Concisely, CuO/Mn₂O₃ thin films were prepared by an easy and inexpensive successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The prepared thin films were characterized by various sophisticated physiochemical systems. The results demonstrated formation of Mn₂O₃ thin films with noteworthy morphological alteration upon introduction of CuO. Furthermore, a significant effect of CuO introduction was observed on the electrocatalytic properties of the nanostructured Mn₂O₃ electrodes. At 3% CuO doping, the Mn₂O₃ electrodes displayed the maximum specific capacitance owing to formation of nanoplate-like structures. The enhanced specific capacitance attained for 3% CuO doping in the Mn₂O₃ electrode was 500 F/g at 5 mV/s in a 3 M KOH electrolyte. All results confirmed the plausible potential of the CuO/Mn₂O₃ electrode for supercapacitor applications.