One-Step Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of MnFe₂O₄/rGO Nanocomposites and Their Electrochemical Properties in Supercapacitors

In the pursuit of energy conservation and sustainability, supercapacitors offer high power density, fast charge-discharge rates, and long cycle life, making them ideal for applications in electric vehicles and portable electronics. This study presents the synthesis of MnFe₂O₄/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites through a rapid, one-pot microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. This approach significantly reduces synthesis time relative to conventional hydrothermal techniques. The nanocomposites were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, morphologically examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and chemically analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrochemical testing revealed a high specific capacitance of 196.6 F/g at 0.5 A/g, with 90.22% retention after 6000 cycles at 10 A/g. The superior performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of MnFe₂O₄ and rGO, enhancing charge storage and stability. These findings demonstrate the potential of microwave hydrothermal synthesis for scalable production of high-performance electrode materials for supercapacitors.