Microstructural analysis and electrochemical performance of MnCo2O4 nanospheres for high efficiency supercapacitors

Manganese cobaltite (MnCo2O4) nanospheres with high surface area were synthesized by a simple, cost-effective chemical co-precipitation method and demonstrated supercapacitance behaviour with high specific capacitance. The XRD studies exhibited predominant (311) orientation corresponding to MnCo2O4 cubic spinel structure with the Fd3<overline>m space group. The XPS analysis reveals the oxidation states and chemical homogeneity of MnCo2O4. The TEM images show the formation of spherical shape nanocrystallites with mesoporous structure. The estimated interplanar distance is 0.47 nm. The estimated surface area and pore size from BET analysis were 32.7 m(2) g(-1) and 2.4 nm respectively and demonstrated enhanced electrode/electrolyte contact area with low ion diffusion which are favourable for electrochemical insertion. As a result, the MnCo2O4 electrode delivered an excellent specific capacitance of 2842 F g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) and retained a specific capacitance of 98% after 5000 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 97.03%. These remarkable results exhort that the as-fabricated MnCo2O4 electrode could be a favourable electrode material that holds substantial potential and supreme option for highly efficient supercapacitors.