High energy supercapattery of polyaniline/cupric oxide/stannic oxide nanocomposite

The effects of different aqueous acid electrolytes in imparting different features of energy storage to the nanocomposite of PANI50 %: CuO41.7 %: SnO28.3 % (PCS) are studied with three different electrolytes 1 M H2SO4 (SA), 1 M H2SO4 + 1 M CH3SO3H (1:1) (SA + MSA) and acidified by-product (ABP). In the presence of SA, SA + MSA and ABP, the PCS produces, high energy density (E); high E & cyclic stability; and high E & rate capability, respectively. The maximum energy characters are achieved in the presence of SA + MSA. They are specific capacity (Q) of 301.6 C g−1, E of 50.26 W h kg−1 and power density (P) of 1.200 kW kg−1 at 1 A g−1. In the presence of SA + MSA the PCS nanocomposite exhibits 55.56 % retention of its initial Q up to 12500 cycles at 0.4 V s−1. This achieved high E is similar with E of Ni–Cd batteries. The use of by-product as electrolyte for supercapattery makes the process a green process. [Display omitted] •The supercapacitor electrode material of PANI50 %: CuO41.7 %: SnO228.3 % (PCS) synthesized in an in situ single step method.•A green electrolyte used to attain an impressive performance of 42.62 % energy retention (104 C g−1), up to 20 A g−1.•An E of 50.26 W h kg−1 comparable with that of Ni–Cd batteries was achieved.•An excellent cyclic stability up to 12500 cycles is achieved at 0.4 V g−1.