High performance supercapacitor electrodes using functionalized CNTs/MoO₃ with natural polysaccharide binders

In this study, MoO₃ nanoparticles were covalently attached on the surface of a UV-assisted functionalized carbon nanotube (Mo/C), to fabricate supercapacitor electrodes. Then, the electrochemical properties of the fabricated electrodes were investigated for supercapacitor applications. MoO₃/carbon nanotube hybrids were deposited on Ni foam (current collector) by sonication to fabricate the electrode (Mo/C/Ni). To improve the performance of electrodes, two types of natural polysaccharide binders, i.e., Xanthan gum (XG) and Arabia gum (AG), were used. The pseudo-capacitive properties of these electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The specific capacitances of the Mo/C/Ni, Mo/C/Ni/XG, and Mo/C/Ni/AG electrodes in 2.0 M KOH electrolyte and 1 A g⁻¹ current density were measured 575, 1735, and 2150 F g⁻¹, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performance was attributed to the synergism between the properties of MoO₃ nanoparticles, CNT, and Arabic gum binder, as well as their good charge mobility and flexibility of the Mo/C/Ni/AG nanocomposite. These superior electrochemical results show the potential of the synthesized electrodes to apply as the high-performance supercapacitors.