Mesh-like thin-film electrodes of manganese oxide with high specific capacitance synthesized via thermal decomposition of manganese formate-amine complexed ink

Thin-film electrodes of manganese oxide were synthesized via the thermal decomposition of various ink complexes consisting of manganese (II), formate (Mnf), triethylenetetramine (TETA), and hexanol. The molar ratio of TETA to Mnf was varied from 0 to 6.0. Inks complexed with various molar ratios of TETA to Mnf were coated onto a stainless steel substrate and calcined at 260 oC for 30 min under air. The pseudocapacitive properties of the thin-film electrodes were evaluated via cyclic voltammetry measurement, and the capacitance degradation of the thin-film electrodes was evaluated via galvanostatic charge-discharge at 0.5 mA cm-2 for 1000 cycles. The thin-film electrode synthesized from ink complexed with a molar ratio of TETA to Mnf of 0.1 showed the highest level of specific capacitance at 2190 F g-1, and good cycling stability was confirmed. The thin-film electrode consisted of Mn3O4 and had a mesh-like morphology that was generated by the dissolution of the remaining Mnf by the electrolyte solution, which resulted in high specific capacitance.