Polyaniline nanofibers–graphene oxide nanoplatelets composite thin film electrodes for electrochemical capacitors

• Published in: RSC advances 2014-01, Vol.4 (64), p.34168-34178
• Main Authors: Khalid, Mohd, Tumelero, Milton A., Zoldan, Vinicius C., Pla Cid, Cristiani C., Franceschini, Dante F., Timm, Ronaldo A., Kubota, Lauro T., Moshkalev, Stanislav A., Pasa, Andre A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capacitors; Density; Electrochemical analysis; Graphene; Nanofibers; Nanostructure; Oxides; Thin films
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/C4RA06145D

Composite thin films of polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers and graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets are synthesized through a simple electrodeposition process for electrochemical capacitors. The morphology and structure of the materials are investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, current sensing atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. In the process of electrodeposition, the electrostatic interactions between the oxygen-functionalized graphene and aniline monomers at an electrolyte interface assisted the co-deposition of PANI nanofibers and GO nanoplatelets. These thin films have an excellent effect on the electrochemical properties with an electrochemical capacitance of 662 F g −1 at a low current density of 0.025 mA cm −2 with simultaneous high energy density (64.5 W h kg −1 ) and high power density (1159 W kg −1 ). The excellent electrochemical performance of the films is attributed to the unique structure of the material, showing synergy between PANI nanofibers and GO nanoplatelets.