Nitrogen-doped CNT-supported PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂ nanostructures for accelerated charge-transport kinetics in energy storage
摘要
Integrating high-capacity electrochemical energy and the evolution of hydrogen activity within a single electrode architecture remains an important objective for multifunctional energy materials. Herein, PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂@NCNT ternary nanostructures were synthesized through hydrothermal-assisted preparation and in situ polymerization to construct a conductive, redox-active, and interconnected hybrid electrode. The design combines the pseudocapacitive contribution of PEDOT: PSS, the layered electroactive character of MoTe₂, and the nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube framework to improve surface accessibility, interfacial charge transport, and cycling stability. The PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂@NCNT composite exhibited a specific surface area of 95.34 m² g⁻¹ and a reduced charge-transfer resistance of 25.6 Ω, confirming improved electrode/electrolyte kinetics compared with the individual components. In a three-electrode configuration, the composite delivered specific capacities of 980 C g⁻¹ at 10 mV s⁻¹ and 1350 C g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹. The assembled PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂@NCNT//AC supercapattery device achieved a specific capacity of 405 C g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹, with a maximum energy density of 86.4 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 1700 W kg⁻¹. The device retained 82.7% of its capacity after 12,000 charge–discharge cycles with 91.1% Coulombic efficiency. Dunn kinetic analysis showed an increase in capacitive contribution from 42% at 10 mV s⁻¹ to 82% at 70 mV s⁻¹, indicating improved rate-dependent charge-storage behavior. For HER in 2.0 M KOH, the PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂@NCNT electrode required an overpotential of 170 mV and displayed a Tafel slope of 67.14 mV dec⁻¹, with stable catalytic response after 5000 cycles. These results demonstrate that PEDOT: PSS/MoTe₂@NCNT is a promising bifunctional electrode material for advanced supercapattery devices and electrocatalytic hydrogen production.