The effect of nonionic surfactant triton X-100 during electrochemical deposition of MnO2 on its capacitance properties

Manganese dioxide has been considered as a promising material for electrochemical supercapacitors. In order to obtain a high specific capacitance, MnO2 has been electrodeposited from an aqueous solution of MnSO4 consisting of a neutral surfactant, namely, Triton X-100. The electrodeposited films of MnO2 in the presence of the surfactant possess greater porosity and hence greater surface area in relation to the films prepared in the absence of the surfactant. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling experiments reveal that specific capacitance is higher by about 59% due to the effect of Triton X-100. As surfactants are known to form micelles at a critical concentration, studies have been conducted to arrive at an appropriate concentration of Triton X-100. Accordingly, it has been found that 10 mM Triton X-100 in 0.5 M MnSO4 solution is the optimum composition of the electrolyte for obtaining a maximum specific capacitance. Extended charge-discharge cycling studies indicate that superior performance of MnO2 due to Triton X-100 is seen throughout the life-cycle. c 2007 The Electrochemical Society..