Synergistic effects in CuO/SnO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x nanohybrids: Unveiling their potential as supercapacitor cathode material

In the field of materials science, a synergistic effect occurs when the combined physical and chemical properties of a composite material show significant improvement compared to the properties of its individual components. In this study, we synthesized a novel nanosheet-like structure composed of copper oxide (CuO) and tin oxide (SnO₂) dispersed on MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) sheets using an ultrasonicated coprecipitation method, and then we explored its synergistic effects. The CuO/SnO₂/MXene nanohybrids were characterized through SEM, HRTEM, XRD, XPS, and BET analysis, confirming successful synthesis and evident synergy between MXene and CuO/SnO₂. The electrochemical behaviour of the nanohybrid structure was investigated using different electrochemical techniques. CuO/SnO₂/MXene revealed a high capacitance of 683.5 Fg^-1 at 1 Ag^-1 in a 2 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte, with 85 % cycling performance after 10,000 cycles. Notably, this performance surpassed that of MXene-Ti₃C₂T_x and CuO/SnO₂ separately, which achieved only 102.8 and 378.2 Fg^-1 capacitance with 60 % and 76 % cycling stability, respectively. These incredible results are attributed to CuO/SnO₂/MXene nanohybrids' synergistic effects, whereby enhance the surface area, electrical conductivity, and availability of active sites and enhanced electrochemical performance. This research offers a promising solution for advancing supercapacitor electrode materials through the creation of a novel nanosheet structure that leverages synergistic effects.