SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GRAPHENE-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUPERCAPACITOR APPLICATIONS

Fatima Kalsoom; Binesh Siddiqui

doi:10.71146/kjmr910

Authors

Fatima Kalsoom Institute of Chemistry, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. Author
Binesh Siddiqui Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi Sindh, Pakistan. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71146/kjmr910

Keywords:

Graphene Nanocomposites, Supercapacitors, Energy storage, Electrochemical performance, Specific Capacitance

Abstract

The current paper is targeted at synthesizing and characterizing the graphene-based nanocomposites as high-performance supercapacitors. The paper will also look into enhancing the electrochemical properties of conventional electrode materials by incorporating metal oxides with graphene. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were made by a modified chemical process. The nanocomposites were then prepared using a hydrothermal method in order to ensure that metal oxide nanoparticles are well dispersed in graphene. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and spectroscopic analyses revealed the structural and morphological characterization that validated an improved crystallinity (to 85) and surface uniformity (88) in the composite material compared to GO (65) and rGO (78).

The electrochemical activity was measured as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and impedance analysis. The specific capacitance of the graphene nanocomposite was 320 F/g in comparison with 120 F/g of GO and 185 F/g of rGO which is about 167 times higher than 120 F/g of GO and 185 F/g of rGO. It is also the composite that had the highest energy density (28 Wh/kg) and power density (950 W/kg) indicating that it had a greater energy storage capacity. It was also found to be highly stable in cycling with a capacitance of 93% towards the 5000 cycles.

All in all, the findings suggest that graphene-based nanocomposites can be a viable alternative, when it comes to improving the performance of the supercapacitors in terms of their conductivity, as well as surface area and electrochemical activity. The research study is relevant in coming up with new advanced nanomaterials to be applied in the energy storage systems that are efficient and sustainable.

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