Structural, Electrical, and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline- Manganese Dioxide (PANI-MnO2) Composites

We report that the PANI-MnO₂ composites were synthesized via an in-situ polymerization technique and evaluated for charge storage device applications. Structural and morphological analysis confirm the strong PANI and MnO₂-particles interactions and a uniform sheet-like morphology. The incorporation of MnO₂ significantly enhanced DC conductivity at temperatures 303–393 K, with charge transport following three-dimensional variable range hopping (3D-VRH) mechanism. Increasing MnO₂ content synergistically improved the charge transport parameters, including hopping length, hopping energy, and density of states, despite a rise in activation energy. Further, high specific capacitance of 325 Fg ^− 1 at 1 Ag ^− 1 is found at PANI-15% MnO ₂ electrodes. The energy density of 27 Wh kg ^− 1 is observed at 748 W kg ^− 1 (power density), and impedance of pristine PANI ~ 12.4 Ω to PANI-15% MnO ₂ ~9.2 Ω of the composite is reduced, which may show a positive effect of MnO ₂ particles and PANI for the progress of electrode material.