Synthesis of a MoO3/Ti3C2Tx composite with enhanced capacitive performance for supercapacitors

Abstract

In this work, a composite of molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) nanoparticles anchored on two-dimensional layers titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x) has been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process. MoO₃ was introduced to improve the contact region between electrode and electrolyte to shorten the paths of ion migration and intercalation. Ti₃C₂T_x has been integrated to act as a supporter to prevent the self-aggregation of MoO₃ combined with the charge transport channel and high conductivity donor to the composite. The structure and morphology of the MoO₃/Ti₃C₂T_x composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cyclic voltammetry tests showed that the MoO₃/Ti₃C₂T_x (III) composite exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 151 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 2 mV s⁻¹, which is higher than that of pure Ti₃C₂T_x (103 F g⁻¹). Furthermore, the composite displays an excellent cycling stability with 93.7% specific capacitance retention after 8000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹.