Facile PSS-assisted Synthesis of SnO2/Single-walled Carbon Nanohorn Composites for Supercapacitors

In this study, we proposed an effective and rational method for in situ decoration of tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) nanoparticles on single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) by using poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as dispersing agent and stabilizer. The morphology and nanostructure of SnO 2 /SWNH composites were tested by TEM, XRD and XPS in detail. The results indicated that uniform dispersion of SnO 2 nanoparticles with mean size about 5nm on the SWNHs. The nanocomposites as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors were tested by cyclicvoltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD). Experimental results exhibited a high specific capacitance of 180.69 F/g at 1 A/g in 1 M Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte. The SnO 2 /SWNH composites showed good cycling stability, which the retention rate of the specific capacitance was 80.72% after 1200 times of charge and discharge cycles.