Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) along with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) utilized to enhance the capacitance of conducting polymers (PANI and PPy)

Abstract

Hybrid composites of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and polyaniline (PANI)/polypyrrole (PPy) have been synthesized as cost-effective electrode materials for supercapacitors. We have produced MoS₂ from molybdenum dithiocarbamate by a melt method in an inert environment and then used a liquid exfoliation method to form its composite with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and polymers (PANI and PPy). The MoS₂ melt/GNP ratio in the resultant composites was 1 : 3 and the polymer was 10% by wt. of the original composite. XRD (X-ray diffraction analysis) confirmed the formation of MoS₂ and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) revealed the morphology of the synthesized materials. The electrochemical charge storage performance of the synthesized composite materials was assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCCD) measurements. Resultant composites showed enhanced electrochemical performances (specific capacitance = 236.23 F g⁻¹, energy density = 64.31 W h kg⁻¹ and power density = 3858.42 W kg⁻¹ for MoS₂ melt 5 mPP at a current density of 0.57 A g⁻¹ and had 91.87% capacitance retention after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles) as compared to the produced MoS₂; thus, they can be utilized as electrode materials for supercapacitors.