Effect of silver (Ag) on manganese telluride (MnTe) for the enhancement of electrochemical properties toward supercapacitor application

The remarkable features of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) have attracted much interest in materials science. TMCs have the benefit of being easily synthesized into multiple nano-structural configurations, which opens up a world of possibilities, specifically when it comes to doping with other materials. Due to this phenomenon, it is possible to synthesize diverse doped materials with extensive surface areas and suitable for in electrochemical energy storage systems. The present investigation presents the synthesis of pristine MnTe and Ag-doped MnTe utilizing the hydrothermal route. However, the electrode containing Ag exhibits a notable enhancement in performance, as evidenced by its specific capacitance (Csp) of 1367.98 F g−1 when operated at 1 A g−1. Investigation of electrochemical phenomena indicates that the observed improvement in performance can be ascribed to enhancement in conductivity. This conclusion was supported by the findings from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which demonstrated reduced electrolyte and charge transfer resistance. Additionally, the material exhibited excellent cyclic and structural stability, further validating the positive impact on performance. Furthermore, the incorporation of dopant into the material has been found to enhance adsorption of OH− ions on the interface of material, thus promoting electrochemical reaction. This research contributes to the existing knowledge on the Ag-doped MnTe and has the potential to inform future advancements in the development of synthesized material.