Abstract

The increasing global shift towards renewable energy emphasizes the urgent need for improved energy storage technologies, particularly in supercapacitors, where the advanced electrode materials can significantly enhance the performance. The rise of metal chalcogenides as electrode material in supercapacitors offers promising electrochemical conductivity with abundant electroactive sites. However, the traditional metal chalcogenides cannot meet the requirements for high energy density due to their inherent low conductivity and slower ionic diffusion channels which is necessary for commercial viability due to their inherent low conductivity and slower ionic diffusion channels. Among the different metal chalcogenide materials being studied, bimetallic copper-cobalt telluride (CuCoTex) is gaining attention due to its high specific capacitance, excellent conductivity, and strong electrochemical stability. Despite these promising properties, the application of CuCoTex as an electrode material in supercapacitors remains relatively underexplored. In this study, a novel ternary nanocomposite consisting of copper cobalt telluride (CuCoTex), manganese oxide (Mn3O4), and titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene was synthesized via a one-pot method for the first time as an electrode material for supercapacitors. This new nanocomposite leverages the strengths of each constituent: CuCoTex provides superior conductivity and electrochemical reactivity, Mn3O4 offers rich redox chemistry and high theoretical capacitance, and Ti3C2Tx MXene delivers exceptional conductivity and mechanical stability. The ternary nanocomposite achieved a specific capacitance of 127 F/g at 1 mA/cm2, surpassing the 100 F/g of CuCoTex alone, and demonstrated an energy density of 6.2 Wh/kg and power density of 54 W/kg. It also exhibited excellent cyclic stability with 91 % retention after 2500 cycles. The incorporation of MXene further optimizes charge transport and enhances the structural integrity of the nanocomposite, addressing the conductivity limitations of Mn3O4. These findings represent the first successful integration of CuCoTex, Mn3O4, and MXene in a single hybrid electrode and offer a scalable pathway towards high-performance, durable energy storage systems for renewable energy applications. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.