Abstract
A ternary composite of phytogenic MnO2 nanoparticles with polyaniline (PA) and activated charcoal (AC) was designed and fabricated. The MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesised by a green procedure using an extract of Cedrus deodara pine needles. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized PA was prepared by the oxidative polymerization of aniline employing ammonium persulfate as the oxidising agent in HCl. A binary composite, polyaniline/activated charcoal (PA/AC), was prepared by the polymerisation of aniline in the presence of AC. The as-prepared materials were characterised and their electrochemical measurements exhibited that the ternary composite has a specific capacitance value of 536 F g(-1), which is much superior to that of PA/AC (272 F g(-1)) and PA (141 F g(-1)) at 1 A g(-1). Thus, PA/AC/MnO2 was proved to be a promising electrode material for supercapacitor applications.