A crosslinked network polypyrrole coated cobalt doped Fe2O3@carbon cloth flexible anode material for quasi-solid asymmetric supercapacitors

Iron(iii) oxide (Fe2O3) exhibits a substantial theoretical specific capacitance and a broad operational voltage window, making it a prospective anode material. The crystal structure of Fe2O3 was altered through cobalt doping, and its electronic conductivity was improved by supporting it with carbon cloth (Co-Fe2O3@CC). Subsequently, a crosslinked network of polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized onto Co-Fe2O3@CC via an ice-water bath, resulting in the formation of PPy/Co-Fe2O3@CC. This PPy nano-crosslinked network not only established three-dimensional electron transport pathways on the Fe2O3 surface but also amplified the composite material's specific surface area to 45.229 m(2) g(-1), thereby promoting its electrochemical performance. At a current density of 2 mA cm(-2), PPy/Co-Fe2O3@CC displayed an area specific capacitance of 704 mF cm(-2), a value 2.2 times higher than that of Co-Fe2O3@CC. The assembled PPy/Co-Fe2O3@CC//Ni-MnO2@CC asymmetric supercapacitor demonstrated an energy density of 1.41 mW h cm(-3 )at a power density of 54 mW cm(-3), making the synthesized electrode material a promising candidate for flexible supercapacitors.