Synthesis of polyaniline/SnO 2 nanocomposite and its improved electrochemical performance

Highlights: • Supercapacitors based on PANI/SnO{sub 2} nanocomposite were reported. • Supercapacitors using this material gave a specific capacitance of 501 F g{sup −1}. • Capacitance retention was 85.8% over 2000 charge–discharge cycles. - Abstract: SnO{sub 2} was prepared by the hydrothermal route. Aniline monomer was polymerized in the suspension of SnO{sub 2} to form inorganic–organic nanocomposite materials, in which SnO{sub 2} particles were embedded within polyaniline (PANI). Morphological and structural characterizations of the prepared samples were carried out using scanning electron microscope; transmission electron microscope; power X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Their electrochemical properties were also investigated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The as-prepared nanocomposites had excellent properties in the capacitance, and its specific capacitance was up to 501 F g{sup −1} with a specific energy density of 66.8 W h kg{sup −1} at a power density of 960.6 W kg{sup −1}. The device fulfilled the requirement of long durability necessary for an energy storage system, since after 2000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles, retention of 85.8% in capacitance was observed. These results indicated that the PANI/SnO{sub 2} had a synergistic effect of the complementary properties of both components.