Graphene oxide with improved electrical conductivity for supercapacitor electrodes

• Published in: Applied surface science 2012-02, Vol.258 (8), p.3726-3731
• Main Authors: Li, Z.J., Yang, B.C., Zhang, S.R., Zhao, C.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrical conductivity; Exact sciences and technology; Graphene oxide; Physics; Supercapacitor
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.12.015

► Few-layer graphene oxide (FLG) has been synthesized with a high electrical conductivity. ► The specific capacitance of 180Fg−1 is obtained for the FLG in a 1M Na2SO4 aqueous. ► The FLG sheets have a great potential as high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors. Predominant few-layer graphene (FLG) sheets of high electrical conductivity have been synthesized by a multi-step intercalation and reduction method. The electrical conductivity of the as-synthesized FLG is measured to be ∼3.2×104Sm−1, comparable to that of pristine graphite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman analysis reveal that the as-synthesized FLG sheets have large areas with single and double layers. The specific capacitance of 180Fg−1 is obtained for the FLG in a 1M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte by integrating the cyclic voltammogram. The good capacitive behavior of the FLG is very promising for the application for next-generation high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors.