Abstract
Birnessite-type manganese dioxide($MnO_2$) was coated uniformly onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through a spontaneous direct redox reaction between CNTs and permanganate ions($MnO_4\;^-$). The initial specific capacitance of the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite in an organic electrolyte at a large current density of 1 A/g was 250 F/g, which is equivalent to 139 mAh/g based on the total weight of the electrode material including the electroactive material, conducting agent and binder. The specific capacitance of the $MnO_2$ in the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite was as high as 580 F/g (320 mAh/g), indicating excellent electrochemical utilization of the $MnO_2$. The addition of CNTs as a conducting agent can improve the high rate capability of $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite considerably. An analysis of the in-situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) showed an improvement in the structural and electrochemical reversibility of the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite by heat-treatment.
