Fabrication and characterization of ultra light SiC whiskers decorated by RuO2 nanoparticles as hybrid supercapacitors

Abstract

Ultra light SiC whiskers decorated by RuO₂ nanoparticles fabricated combining carbon thermal reduction and a hydrothermal route were investigated as novel hybrid supercapacitors with improved performance. The morphology and microstructure of the composite indicate that RuO₂ nanoparticles are dispersed on the surface of SiC whiskers. The electrochemical behavior of the hybrid electrode systematically measured in 1.0 M H₂SO₄ demonstrates that SiC whiskers can considerably improve the supercapacitance properties of RuO₂. The specific capacitance of RuO₂ nanoparticles in the composite can be obtained as high as 1454.8 F g⁻¹ with a mass ratio of RuO₂/modified SiC whiskers of 2 : 3. Moreover, the hybrid electrode displays a longer cycle life with a better capacitance retention (∼93.6%) than that of pure RuO₂ after 2000 CV cycles.