The LBL multilayer films containing PSS-GS and MnO2 sheets
were constructed with a tunable thickness and architecture.
Successful assemblies of PSS-GS and MnO2 sheets in sequence
with PDDA as a linker were confirmed by UV-vis spectra and
XPS. In particular, UV-vis spectra showed that the absorbance
values at 226 and 360 nm increase nearly linearly with the
number of bilayers, validating that the PSS-GS and MnO2 sheets
can be deposited uniformly to form multilayer films. The electrochemical
tests of the prepared multilayer film electrode in the
0.1 M Na2SO4 solutions demonstrate that the capacity increased
with the number of bilayers. Namely, for the ITO/(PDDA/PSSGS/PDDA/MnO2)n
electrode, the larger the number of n, the
higher the capacity. In addition, a level of 90% of the specific
capacitance for the 10-bilayer film electrode still remained after
1000 times of cycling compared to the first cycle, and
a Coulombic efficiency of around 100% can also be achieved.
Hopefully, the prepared multilayer films may be potentially
useful as novel electrode materials in supercapacitors, due to
their outstanding features of good cycle stability coupled with the
low cost and environmentally benign nature.