Exploring the Electrochemical Performance of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles Entrenched in Miscible Poly(methyl methacrylate)-Poly(lactic acid) Blends as Freestanding Electrodes for Supercapacitors

Abstract

The focus of the study in this article is analyzing the electrochemical properties of molybdenum disulfide on miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends for supercapacitors. The interaction between molybdenum disulfide and miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends, affinity toward water, surface morphology, and mechanical properties are inspected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, and universal testing machine, respectively. Among the developed membranes, 0.75 wt% of molybdenum disulfide on poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) shows better electrochemical performances. It exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 255.5 F g−1 at a current density of 1.00 mA g−1, maximum energy density of 22.7 Wh kg−1, and maximum power density of 360 W kg−1. A cycle study reveals 92% capacitance retention after 2500 cycles. The designed supercapacitor device shows a maximum specific capacitance of 1240 μF g−1 at a current density of 0.5 μA g−1, maximum energy density of 43 μWh kg−1, and maximum power density of 700 μW kg−1. Flexible membranes of molybdenum disulfide are expected to be a potent combination for supercapacitor applications.

Keywords

• polymer membranes
• supercapacitors
• specific capacitance
• energy density
• power density