Creating electronic and ionic conductivity gradients for improving energy storage performance of ruthenium oxide electrodes

Robust Ru-based thin films are successfully fabricated by single- (SA) and multiple-annealing (MA) thermal decomposition methods and are utilized as high-performance electrodes for the supercapacitors. Two critical parameters, the annealing temperature and treatment duration, are engineered for synthesizing stable thin-film electrodes. It is found that the SA thermal decomposition technique at 250 °C for 6 h results in stable RuO2 electrodes with remarkable electrochemical performance. The MA approach consists of 2- and 3-stage thermal treatment steps. The maximal capacitance of MA-treated capacitor reaches as high as 308.8 F g−1. The MA-treated electrodes deliver exceptional rate capability as well as superior cycling stability (93% capacitance retention upon 2000 cycles). The enhanced performance is attributed to the multistep thermal stages along with the layer-by-layer deposition, enabling enhanced heat transfer to individual thin layers. An optimal thermal treatment procedure is assessed empowering enhanced capacitive performance due to high hydrous RuO2·xH2O ratio, reduced crystalline structure, facile electrolyte wetting, and stable adhesion between the deposits and the Ti substrate. The robust design of MA-treated thin film deposits paves the way for synthesizing high-performance electrodes for the supercapacitors. [Display omitted] •RuO2 thin films are fabricated by multiple-annealing (MA) decomposition method.•The MA approach consists of 2- and 3-stage thermal treatment steps.•The maximal capacitance of MA-treated capacitor reaches as high as 308.8 F g−1.•Optimal thermal procedure is assessed empowering enhanced capacitive performance.•Robust design of thin film deposits paves a way for electrodes in supercapacitors.