Hydrous RuO[sub 2]/Carbon Black Nanocomposites with 3D Porous Structure by Novel Incipient Wetness Method for Supercapacitors

Abstract

For supercapacitor electrode material, hydrous RuO2RuO2 /carbon black nanocomposites were prepared by the novel incipient wetness method using a fumed silica nanoparticle. First, hydrous RuO2RuO2 /fumed silica/Ketjen black (KB) was synthesized by the sol-gel-based method. After dissolving the fumed silica, the hydrous RuO2∕KBRuO2∕KB nanocomposite, which is composed of RuO2RuO2 nanoparticles (20–60nm)(20–60nm) dispersed on the high-surface-area KB (1180m2g−1)(1180m2g−1) , was formed with 3D porous structure at high loading of 60wt%60wt% RuO2RuO2 (Ru content is 46wt%46wt% ). The hydrous RuO2∕KBRuO2∕KB nanocomposite electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 647Fg−1647Fg−1 with high charge utilization of RuO2RuO2 (72%), which is significantly higher than reported values by other workers at similar loading of RuO2RuO2 . The high capacitance and the high charge utilization were probably due to enhanced proton paths within the 3D porous structure of the nanocomposite materials.