Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-020-03713-3

ORIGINAL PAPER

High power density supercapacitor devices based on nickel

foam–coated rGO/MnCo2O4 nanocomposites
Achref Chebil 1,2 & Ozge Kuzgun 3 & Cherif Dridi 1,2 & Murat Ates 3

Received: 18 June 2020 / Revised: 9 July 2020 / Accepted: 21 July 2020 / Published online: 6 August 2020
# Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract
New nanocomposite electrode material of rGO/MnCo2O4 was freely loaded on flexible substrate on nickel foam and prepared by
a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly pathway. The results show that the spinel manganese cobaltite (MnCo2O4) with reduced
graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite forms a uniform deposit and densely covers on the nickel foam (NF). The electrochemical
measurements were investigated in three methods, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The synergistic effects from rGO and MnCo2O4 deliver outstanding an excellent
electrochemical performance that was not realized by any of these components alone. The electroactive material exhibits a high
specific capacitance of Csp = 808 F/g at 2 mV/s in 1 M KOH solution. Furthermore, this device delivers an excellent power
density of P = 7658 W/kg and a high energy density of E = 15.2 Wh/kg. More importantly, cycling retention is 135% after 1000
charge/discharge cycles. This study proposes that the as-prepared (rGO/MnCo2O4)/nickel foam has a potential application and a
promising candidate for energy storage devices.

Keywords Reduced graphene oxide . Manganese cobaltite . Nickel foam . Electrochemical performance . Supercapacitor

Introduction performances appeared [3]. Such as higher power density,

To follow the high-quality life humanity, the demands for
flexible and embedded systems are required and hugely in-
creasing with an extensive utilization of electronic devices [1,
2]. The energy supply is very important for those products as
well energy providing as energy storage. Herein, a revolution-
ary advent of a new generation for energy storage has versatile
* Cherif Dridi
cherif.dridi@crmn.rnrt.tn; dridicherif2@gmail.com
* Murat Ates
mates@nku.edu.tr
Achref Chebil
dridicherif2@gmail.com
1
NANOMISENE Laboratory, LR16CRMN01, Centre for Research
on Microelectronics and Nanotechnology CRMN of Technopark of
Sousse, B.P. 334, Sahloul, 4034 Sousse, Tunisia
2
University of Sousse, High School of Sciences and Technology of
Hammam, Sousse, Tunisia
3
Atespolymer Research group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of
Arts and Sciences, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Degirmenalti
Campus, 59030 Tekirdag, Turkey
excellent cycling retention, fast charge/discharge with the po-
tential to be charged in a few seconds and a moderate energy
density compared with batteries [4–8] can be alternative
sources to deliver energy in which called supercapacitor
(SC) [9, 10]. SC will play an important role in the large-
scale use of energy storage and the sustainability approach
included in the seven goals cited by the Sustainable
Development Goals denounced by United Nations for a better
and clean future for all generations.
Supercapacitors can be broken down into two categories.
This is based on the charge storage mechanism:
Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) is usually
exemplified by carbon materials and its derivates, such as
carbon nanotube [11, 12], fullerene [13, 14], carbon fiber
[15, 16], activated carbon (AC) [17], and graphene oxide
(GO) [18] in which charge can be stored via electrostatic ac-
cumulation of ions at the electrode/electrolyte interface, and
on the other side, pseudo-capacitors based on metal oxides
(NiO, Fe3O4, MnO2, SnO2, etc) [19–21] and conducting poly-
mers (PANI, PPy, etc) via fast and reversible redox faradaic
reactions [22–25].
A huge number of materials are used as supercapacitor
active electrodes with few of them showing good
5726
electrochemical performances. We should bear in mind that
among those materials, we found reduced graphene oxide
(rGO) which is the framework of our work. (rGO) shows a
good ionic conductivity and a higher proton conductivity [26].
Supplementary capacitance improvement is possible by
mixing rGO with other transition metal oxides [27] just as
RuO2 [28], ZnFe2O4 [29], NiMoO4 [30], MnFe2O4 [31],
MgAl2O4 [32], flower-like zinc molybdate [33], NiCo2S4
[34], 1T-MoS2, and MgAl layered double hydroxides [35]
which has been investigated for ultracapacitors also in the
battery. Especially, we focus on manganese cobaltite ox-
ide (MnCo2O4) [36] due to its easy synthesis, good cycle
retention, high charge/discharge, low-cost materials, ex-
cellent power density, and a good specific capacitance
[37]. MnCo 2 O 4 is proven to be have an attractive
pseudo-capacitive behavior thanks to the combined effects
of Mn2+ and Co2+ cations. During cobalt displays a higher
oxidation potential, manganese can transport more elec-
trons and then accomplish a higher specific capacitance
[38]. Manganese can store and transport more charge
(electrons) and this leads to a higher capacitance storage.
However, cobalt delivers a higher oxidation potential
[39]. From previous works, in order to promote electrode
properties with spinel MnCo2O4, it is necessary to ensure
three requirements: the first one is that nanosize should be
processed. The second one is that transition metal oxide
should be mixed with materials which has good electrical
conductivity and the last condition is the obtaining of
porous structure which leads to a good storage charge be
established when MnCo2O4 is used such as an active elec-
trode material. MnCo2O4 gives rise to superior electro-
chemical and physicochemical properties compared with
single transition metal oxide [40, 41]. Moreover, it is a
low-cost, eco-friendly, and abundant composite material
[42, 43].
In this context, we described a low-cost and a simple path-
way to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via
Hummer’s method mixing with spinel manganese cobaltite
oxide (MnCo2O4) as a novel nanocomposite. rGO/MnCo2O4
were grown on a flexible substrate Ni foam which has an
excellent electrical conductivity, large surface area, good
chemical stability, and high porosity [44] without using any
templates or any surfactant, thanks to the high specific surface
area and due to the good synergy with nickel foam. The nano-
composites were analyzed by morphological characterization:
SEM, EDX, then a structural characterization FTIR-ATR to
verify the combination between the two materials and finally
electrochemical measurements by CV, GCD, and EIS analy-
ses. rGO/MnCo2O4 exhibits a high specific capacitance of
Csp = 808 F/g with E = 15.2 Wh/kg, P = 7658 W/kg energy,
and power densities, respectively. The above sublime electro-
chemical performances can be used such as a promising elec-
trode for high-performance supercapacitor.
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
Experimental
Materials
Nickel foam was obtained from Goodfellow; ammonium per-
sulfate, ammonium fluoride, urea, cobalt nitrate, manganese
nitrate, graphite, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium perman-
ganate were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich.
Electrode preparation
Preparation of rGO/MnCo2O4 on Ni foam
GO was adapted via the modified Hummer’s method in our
previous work [45]. First, Ni foam was cleaned by acetone,
3 M of HCl, distilled water, and ethanol respectively. After
that, 40 mg of GO was dissolved in 20 ml of de-ionized water
and sonicated for 20 min until having a homogeneous solu-
tion. The clean NF was immersed into the prepared mixture
for 45 min. under sonication and then put under filter paper
and waited for one night until drying and then the GO well
deposit on Ni foam.
The spinel MnCo2O4 was prepared with an easy and simple
hydrothermal method. Indeed, 75 mg of Mn(NO3)2, 174 mg
of CO(NO3)2, and 66 mg of NH4F and urea (CO(NH2)2) were
mixed together in 15 mL of distilled water under magnetic
agitator until having a homogeneous solution. The mixture
transferred to an autoclave and was heated for 5 h at 100 °C.
Subsequently, the autoclave was allowed to room tempera-
ture. Finally, the sample was washed with distilled water and
dried to be ready after for a thermal treatment, which lasts 2 h
at 200 °C to obtain MnCo2O4 as mentioned in Fig. 1. The total
mass of active material rGO/MnCo2O4 is 23.4 mg.
Material characterization
Morphological characterization was taken using scanning
electron microscopy (SEM-EDX, and FEI-LS 10). Structural
properties were determined using Fourier-transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR, Perkin Elmer).
Electrochemical measurements
Electrochemical measurements were taken via the Ivium-
vertex potentiostat/galvanostat instrument. GO/MnCo2O4
loaded on Ni foam. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements
were performed under a three-electrode systems configuration
in 1 M KOH at room temperature at different scan rates rang-
ing from 2 to 1000 mV/s. The nickel foam serves as a working
electrode, platinum (Pt) used as counter electrode, and Ag/
AgCl used as a reference electrode. The galvanostatic
charge/discharge (GCD) measurements were operated at dif-
ferent current excitations: 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mA.
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735 5727

Fig. 1 The preparation procedure

of supercapacitor electrodes

Besides, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
measurements were performed by a frequency ranging from
100 kHz to 10 mHz. The applied potential of EIS is equal to
10 mV.
The value of specific capacitance (Csp) of the electrode can
be calculated via this equation [46, 47].
C sp ¼ ðI  Δt Þ=ðm  ΔV Þ ð1Þ
percentage of oxygen (O) increased 22 times from 3.55 to
67.75% and the percentage of nickel (Ni) decreased from
96.45 to 8.75% and this to give rise for another elements
which are the element of manganese (Mn) as 2.59%, carbon
(C) 8.55%, and the element cobalt (Co) 12.03%. This result
well confirms that rGO/MnCo2O4 was formed and in correla-
tion with FTIR-ATR analysis.

where I is the discharge current (A), Δt is the discharge cur-

rent (s), m is the active mass, and ΔV is the potential window SEM images
(V).
Energy and power densities were evaluated according to Figure 3a displays the SEM images of the neat nickel foam
those two Eqs. (2) and (3): substrate, which shows a three-dimensional (3D) porous net-
work structure with high smooth surfaces. Figure 3b shows a
E ¼ 1=2  C sp  V 2 ð2Þ homogeneous dispersion of graphene oxide on the entire three
dimensional structure of nickel foam. In the case of rGO/
P ¼ E=Δt ð3Þ
MnCO2O4 nanocomposite, MnCO2O4 was accumulated on
where E is the energy density, Csp is the specific capacitance, both sides of the rGO nanosheet surface (Fig. 4a, b) which
and V is the maximum and minimum potential differences forms an ultrathin nanosheet of rGO with hierarchical
during charging and discharging time, P is the power density, MnCo2O4 layer in the two sides.
and Δt is the discharging time. rGO and spinel MnCo2O4 are well interconnected with
each other and placed on (rGO) nanosheet target and a
closed network, and interlaced between each other like
petals (Fig. 5a–c).
Results and discussion

EDX measurements

The solution of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared

in de-ionized water and then was sonicated to have a homog-
enous solution. Ni foam has been immersed and then dried.
We had resorted to a hydrothermal method via autoclave to
load MnCo2O4. Manganese cobaltite is well bonded with car-
boxyl groups due to the electrostatic recombination on the
surface of rGO, and formed a nanocomposite (rGO/
MnCo2O4) coated on nickel foam.
EDX measurements were obtained via area calculation giv-
en by Fig. 2 and summarized in Table 1. It seems that the Fig. 2 EDX analysis of rGO/MnCo2O4 on Ni foam
5728
Table 1 EDX analysis of rGO/
MnCo2O4 on Ni foam Elements Weight percent of Ni foam
O 3.55
Mn – 2.59
C –
Ni 96.45
Co – 12.03
This continuous network grown on Ni foam formed a uni-
form structure, which is suitable for the fast transportation of
electrons on different conduction paths on materials and im-
prove their capacitive performances [48]. Such morphology
images suggest a high specific surface area and a good har-
mony between both materials in which not only stimulated
faradaic reactions, expanding the contact area between
electrode/electrolytes; nevertheless, it provides valuable struc-
ture stability for long-life cycling retention. Following, we
investigate the structural behavior of neat nickel foam,
(rGO) on nickel foam, and rGO/MnCo2O4 on nickel foam
using FTIR characterization.
FTIR characterization
The evolution of functional groups in rGO/MnCo2O4 precur-
sor on nickel foam with calcination temperature is followed by
FTIR to verify the presence of new groups. Figure 6 shows the
appearance of peaks at 2924 cm−1 and 2851 cm−1 which be-
longs to C–H. The peak at 1644 cm−1 is attributed to the
stretching vibration of the carboxylate group with Co (II).
1515 cm−1 peak is due to the coordination of Co2+ (or
Mn 2+ ) ions with carboxyl groups [49]. The peak at
1287 cm−1 reflects the stretching vibration of C–H group.
The peaks at 972 and 922, 923 cm−1 are attributed to C–C
deformation vibration [50]. Moreover, it well shows the ap-
pearance of two new peaks at around 641 and 544 cm−1 in
which are attributed to Co–O and Mn–O vibration modes and
this demonstrates the formation of the spinel MnCo2O4 phase
[51, 52]. These results are in good agreement with previous
Fig. 3 SEM images of Nickel
foam, a 500 μm and b 300 μm
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
The weight percent of rGO/MnCo2O4 on Ni foam
67.75
8.55
8.75
studies and with a good correlation with EDX measurements
above.
Later, we investigate the electrochemical behavior of neat
nickel foam, rGO on nickel foam, and rGO/MnCo2O4 on
Nickel foam using CV, GCD, and EIS in 1 M KOH aqueous
electrolyte.
Electrochemical performances
To evaluate the electrochemical performance of NF, rGO on
NF, and rGO/MnCo2O4 on NF, three electrodes (working:
Nickel foam, counter: Pt wire, and Ag/AgCl as reference)
were applied in 1 M KOH at room temperature. The working
electrode serves to measure the current through the entire cell
and the reference is useful to measure the potential of the
working electrode, which is nickel foam in our case.
However, the counter electrode allows the free passage of
the current and has not any influence for the electrochemical
measurement but ensures circuit closure without any interven-
tion [53].
To identify the best electrode between neat nickel foam,
rGO on nickel foam, and rGO/MnCo2O4 on nickel foam for
supercapacitor electrode elaboration, cyclic voltammetry of
each sample was recorded in the range of 0 to 0.8 V.
Figure 7a and b display the CV curves of samples cited above
at two scan rates of (a)1000 mV/s and (b) 2 mV/s. The CV
curve of neat Nickel foam at a scan rate of 2 and 1000 mV/s
illustrated in Fig. 7a and b . Oxido-redox peaks are well de-
fined and the specific capacitance was measured and show a
negligible current response and then a lower value of specific
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
Fig. 4 SEM images of Nickel
foam coated rGO: a 500 μm and
b 300 μm
capacitance, power and energy densities compared with the
other samples.
The current response adequately increased with the incor-
poration of rGO and become more important with the addition
of manganese cobaltite. For example, a maximum capacitance
of rGO was found at about Csp = 108 F/g at a low scan rate of
2 mV/s and which was distorted in terms of shape to be 75 F/g
at 1000 mV/s at high scan rates. Power and energy densities
were also calculated and according to the equation above and
we found P = 3138 W/kg and E = 7.08 Wh/kg, respectively.
This can be explained that in a low scan rate, the ionic fluxes
were in equilibrium for this reason it gives a symmetrical plot
[54]. Nonetheless, at high scan rate, there is a modification in
CV curves because of the fast ion transport in solution and
also the absence of direct contact of the cell surface (active
electrode) and the electrolyte [55, 56].
The largest surface area of rGO/MnCo2O4 electrode from
CV plot is observed in Fig. 8. Thus, we plot the electrochem-
ical behavior at different scan rates: 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250,
Fig. 5 SEM images of rGO/
MnCo2O4 nanocomposites: a
500 μm, b 50 μm, and c 3 μm
5729
500, 750, and 1000 mV/s. We notice that the quasi-rectangle
shape is maintained at different scan rates ranging from the
highest to the lowest one. Offering fast charge storage and an
easily accessible rGO/MnCo2O4 electrode to the as-prepared
electrolyte was sustained by the spinel manganese cobaltite
inter-located and grown on the crisscrossed reduced graphene
oxide nanosheet loaded on 3D nickel foam framework. From
these curves and via the equation cited above, the rGO/
MnCo2O4 electrode exhibited the highest specific capacitance
value compared with other electrodes. At 2 mV/s, we mea-
sured the specific capacitance of Csp = 808 F/g and an energy
density of E = 15.2 Wh/kg. However, the highest power den-
sity was recorded at 1000 mV/s and was found at around P =
7658 W/kg. The incorporation of MnCo2O4 plays a critical
role to give rise to a large specific surface area and then an
increasing current response due to the creation of more
electroactive cites which promotes the faradaic redox process-
es and then to better electrochemical performances. Our elec-
trochemical results are in a good position compared with
5730
Fig. 6 FTIR spectra of neat NF,
rGO/NF, and rGO/MnCo2O4 on
NF
previous studies done recently (Table 2) using nickel foam
such as substrate-adopting electrode materials based on
graphene and manganese.
Galvanostatic charge/discharge
Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) behaviors were ap-
plied in 1 M KOH within a three-electrode system at different
constant currents of 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 mA. Figure 9
shows a quasi-symmetric charge/discharge curves indicating
a small internal resistance (IR) [70–72]. rGO/MnCo2O4 trans-
lates a longer discharge time, indicating a good electrochem-
ical behavior, which is in coincidence with cyclic voltamme-
try measurements. Indeed, in terms of energy storage process
as long as the internal resistance (iR) is low as long as the
heating is low during the charge and the discharge of the
device and next less energy waste [7, 73–75].
Cycling retention
The lifetime and long-term cycling retention are a vital and
fundamental factor to evaluate the intrinsic characteristic of
the electrode-based material and this was confirmed via cyclic
voltammetry. As depicted in Fig. 10, the specific capacitance
of rGO/MnCo2O4 increased as number cycle and further to
remain at 135% after 1000 cycles while rGO on nickel foam
Fig. 7 CV curves of nickel foam,
rGO on nickel foam, and rGO/
MnCo2O4 on nickel foam. a at
2 mV/s and b at 1000 mV/s
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
loses 32% of its initial capacitance, and retained only 68%
after 1000 cycles because of the structural damage during
charge/discharge process. The phenomenon of the increase
of the capacitance retention can be considered such as an
activation process of the rGO/MnCo2O4 of this active elec-
trode and this can be explained with the improved wettability
and the activation process. The rGO/MnCo2O4 presents more
active sites as a faradaic reaction and good contact between
electrode/electrolyte suggesting excellent cycling stability and
the presence of Mn can improve the lifetime of the as-prepared
active electrode. This favorable result was reported in other
previous studies [76, 77]. These outstanding results were due
to the combined synergistic advantages of rGO and MnCo2O4
materials.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
All data extracted from complex impedance spectroscopy can
be modeled via those four complex formalisms [78, 79]; each
one is composed of two components: real and imaginary parts
called:
Complex modulus : M  ðwÞ ¼ M 0 þ JM″ ð4Þ
Complex permittivity : ɛ  ðwÞ ¼ ɛ 0 −jɛ″ ð5Þ
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735 5731

Fig. 8 CV curves of rGO/MnCo2O4 on NF (from 2 to 1000 mV/s) Fig. 9 GCD of rGO/MnCo2O4 on nickel foam at different constant
currents ranging from 0.2 to 10 mA

Complex admittance : Y  ðwÞ ¼ Y 0 −jY ″ ¼ 1=Rp þ jwCp

ð6Þ
Complex impedance : Z  ðwÞ ¼ Z 0 −JZ″ ¼ Rs− j=wCs
ð7Þ
In our case, we will focus on the latter one: Complex im-
pedance Z (w) to analyze our results. The complex impedance
Z (w) follows this equation below under the sinusoidal regime:
Z ðwÞ ¼ Re Z þ j Im Z ¼ Z 0 þ JZ″ ð8Þ
Knowing that Re Z = Z′ is the real parts of impedance Z (w)
and Im Z = Z′ is the imaginary part of impedance Z (w). The
real and the imaginary parts of impedance Z (w) are assigned
to an electrical equivalent circuit tagged in Fig. 10 and
discussed in details below.

Table 2 Comparison of the electrochemical performance for rGO-based hybrids on Nickel foam substrate

Electrode (on nickel foam) Methods C/g−1 E/Wh/kg P/Wkg−1 Cycling retention/% Ref

rGO/CNF/MnCo3 Hydrothermal 38 21 102 97% after 1000 cycles 2015 [57]

MnO2/rGO Hydrothermal 51 17.8 400 84% after 2000 cycles 2015
[58]
MnCo2O4 Chemical and hydrothermal process 474 – – – 2016
[59]
Porous Mn2O3 Mild and calcination chemical reaction 566 10.22 5000 73% after 2000 cycles 2017
[60]
TiO2/rGO Hydrothermal 62.8 200 6000 80 after 10,000 cycles 2018
[61]
Α-Fe2O3/rGO Hydrothermal 335 – – 80 after 20,000 cycles 2019
[62]
Graphene aerogel Hydrothermal 318 60 900 98 after 10,000 cycles 2019
[63]
Co9S8/graphene Hydrothermal 540 37 170 74.5% after 1000 cycles 2019
[64]
Co3O4/NiO/rGO Hydrothermal 325 – – – 2019
[65]
Graphene/NiCo2S4 Solvothermal 704 20.9 800 80 after 1500 cycles 2019
[66]
AC/MnCo3/NiFeO In situ hydrothermal 283 50.38 340 90% after 3000 cycles 2019
[67]
MnCo2O4.5 Solvothermal 321 19.65 810 87% after 4000 cycles 2020
[68]
PANi/Full carbon layer Hydrothermal 610 mF/cm2 41 μWh/cm2 0.9 mW/cm2 77.63% after 1000 cycles 2020
[69]
rGO/MnCo2O4 Hydrothermal 808 15.2 7658 135% after 1000 This work
5732
Fig. 10 Cycling stability of rGO and rGO/MnCo2O4 nanocomposites
Fig. 11 Nyquist plot of nickel foam, rGO/Nickel foam and rGO/
MnCo2O4 on nickel foam. Inset shows the high-frequency range rGO/
NF and rGO/MnCo2O4 on NF
Cole-cole representation (Nyquist plot)
Impedance spectroscopy is a tool that focuses on measuring
the impedance Z (w) versus the impedance signal frequency
between the frequency ranges to understand more the funda-
mental behavior at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The data
obtained could be visualized as a Nyquist plot also known as
the cole-cole plot expressed by the imaginary part Z″ versus
the actual real part Z′. The electrochemical impedance spec-
troscopy (EIS) was carried out at room temperature ranging
from 100 kHz to 10 mHz.
The Nyquist plots can be fitted using an equivalent circuit
model (inset of Fig 11) consisting of those parameters: Rs
Table 3 Parameters extracted
from the equivalent circuit model Electrodes
as Rs, Rct, n, CPE and W
Nickel foam
rGO on nickel foam
rGO/MnCo2O4 on nickel foam
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
(resistance of the active electrode), Rct (charge transfer resis-
tance), CPE (constant phase element), and W (Warburg im-
pedance or diffusive impedance). The intersection between
the real axis and the Nyquist plots at high frequency is attrib-
uted to Rs which is the intrinsic electrical resistance of the
active electrode [80]. A semicircle is observed at high frequen-
cy to the mid-frequency region can be explained from the
parallel combination of the Rct (charge transfer resistance)
induced with redox reaction and CPE: constant phase element.
The values of Rct and Rs for rGO and rGO/MnCo2O4 were
calculated due to the extracted parameters from equivalent
circuit model [81, 82] (Table 3). It was found as 83.2, 2.2,
65.9, and 1.5 Ω, respectively, which is in a good agreement
with CV method because the rGO/MnCo2O4 electrode has
low Rs and low Rct compared with rGO resistance electrode.
Considerably as long as the Rct low as long as we have good
electrochemical performance because Rct is a critical factor
and it inhibit the fast charge/discharge of the device.
Moreover, the n index of rGO/MnCo2O4 is equal to 0.82
(nearly to 1) indicating a pure capacitive behavior that arises
from the ion diffusion in the electrode structure [83, 84].
These results prove that rGO/MnCo2O4 has better electrical
conductivity and large surface area than neat reduced
graphene oxide. Arriving at low frequency, there is an inclined
straight line, which simulates the Warburg impedance analo-
gous to the diffusion of electrolyte with spinel manganese
cobaltite, and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite
electrode–based material.
Conclusion
In summary, rGO/MnCo2O4 and its porous network on 3D
nickel foam flexible substrate have been successfully synthe-
sized with a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly strategy.
The as-prepared active electrode provides a good electro-
chemical performance of Csp = 808 F/g and energy density
E = 15.2 Wh/kg, P = 7658 W/kg, and cycling retention of
135% after 1000 charge/discharge and this due to the good
electrical conductivity and the synergic effect between mate-
rials. The results demonstrate that rGO/MnCo2O4 nanocom-
posite displays good electrochemical performance than neat
rGO and which shows that this electrode could be considered
as a promotional candidate for a favorable supercapacitor elec-
trode material for next-generation energy storage devices.
Rs/Ω Rct/Ω n CPE/S/sn W/S/s5 χ2
0.89 62.7 0.68 0.0002 0.00022 0.002
2.2 83.2 0.74 0.00032 0.0023 0.007
1.5 65.9 0.82 0.00036 0.029 0.001
Ionics (2020) 26:5725–5735
Funding information The authors received financial support from the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia.
Achref Chebil has studied in Ates polymer research group between 23
May 2019 and 7 August 2019 in Tekirdag Namik Kemal University,
Turkey.
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