Optimizing electrochemical properties of PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction and energy storage in asymmetric supercapacitors

The search for supercapacitors' high-performance electrode materials has sparked a lot of research into innovative hybrid architectures. Supercapattery devices combine the extraordinary power density and cyclic stability of supercapacitors with the high energy density of batteries. This study details synthesized and analyzed of hybrid electrode material consisting of Polyaniline (PANI) deposited on molybdenum di-selenide (MoSe₂) and chromium carbide (Cr₂C) using the hydrothermal method. XRD, SEM, and XPS confirmed well-defined PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C composites with a high surface area (BET). The hybridization leverages the synergistic effects of the distinct properties of PANI, MoSe₂, and Cr₂C to enhance electrochemical performance in supercapacitors. PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C showed higher specific capacities (1171 C/g at 10 mV/s) than PANI@MoSe₂ (1249 C g⁻¹) and PANI@Cr₂C (1578 C g^-³) in three-electrode tests. A supercapattery using PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C and activated carbon achieved 72.92 Wh kg^-¹ energy density and 400 W kg^-¹ power density. It also retained 86.72 % capacity and 90.67 % coulombic efficiency over 12,000 cycles. Dunn's model explained capacitive and diffusive contributions. PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C exhibited efficient Tafel slope of about 40.0 mV/s and low over potential of 101.41 mV are characteristics of HER activity. These characteristics demonstrate PANI@MoSe₂/Cr₂C's potential as an electrode material for future energy storage applications.