Superior electrochemical activity of α-Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite for advance energy storage devices

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2016-12, Vol.689, p.648-654
• Main Authors: Aadil, Muhammad, Shaheen, Wajeeha, Warsi, Muhammad Farooq, Shahid, Muhammad, Khan, Muhammad Azhar, Ali, Zahid, Haider, Sajjad, Shakir, Imran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrical measurements; Nanocomposite; Reduced graphene oxide; Supercapacitor; α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.08.029

A nanocomposite containing α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles entangled with reduced graphene oxide nanosheets have been synthesized via simple hydrothermal and ultra-sonication method. It is observed that graphene nanosheets enhanced the electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The superior electrical conductivity of α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite was confirmed by two probe current-voltage (I-V) measurements. The enhanced electrochemical activity of α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and cyclic voltammetry experiments. It is observed that as-prepared α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite has superior charge-transfer resistance and higher specific capacitance than bare α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Moreover, nanocomposite retained 75% of the initial capacitance after 1000 cycles. Due to tremendous electrochemical performance, the α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite have potential applications in energy storage devices. •A novel α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized.•The novel α-Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite exhibited high conductivity and high capacitance.•The α- Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite show potential for next-generation energy storage devices.