Flexible polyaniline/MXene/CNF composite nanofibrous mats as high‐performance supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we presented a facile synthesis of ternary composite by depositing polyaniline (PANI) onto electrospun MXene‐embedded carbon nanofibers (CNF) using in situ polymerization. Polymerization duration was varied between 2 and 8 hours to tune fiber diameter and surface area. The physicochemical properties of binary and ternary composites were characterized, such as surface morphology and chemical functional groups and surface area and pore volume. Results indicated that the fiber diameter and micropore volume increased with the deposition of PANI. In order to examine the effect of PANI deposition and other electrode properties on electrochemical performance, electrochemical impedance, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and cyclic voltammetry tests were performed. Flexible binder‐free PANI/MXene/CNF composite electrode with maximum PANI deposition exhibited the maximum specific capacitance of 356 F g−1 at current density of 0.5 A g−1. Further, this electrode demonstrated excellent capacitance retention after 5000 cycles, with 91%. The ternary composite's outstanding performance is primarily related to PANI's enhanced surface area and micropore volume as well as pseudocapacitive charge storage.Highlights Synthesis of a flexible binder‐free novel ternary composite electrode. In‐situ PANI deposition to enhances the ternary electrode surface area and wettability. Flexible ternary composite electrodes with maximum PANI loading exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. Comparison of binary and ternary electrode performance with pristine carbon nanofibers.