Reduction-based engineering of three-dimensional morphology of Ni-rGO nanocomposite

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. B, Solid-state materials for advanced technology Solid-state materials for advanced technology, 2021-09, Vol.271, p.115259, Article 115259
• Main Authors: Alinejadian, Navid, Nasirpouri, Farzad, Yus, Joaquin, Ferrari, Begona
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical sensors; Co-electrodeposition; Energy conversion; Energy storage; Functional groups; Graphene; Graphene oxide; Infrared spectroscopy; Morphology; Nanocomposite film; Nanocomposites; Nanoplatelet; Nanosheet; Nickel; Novel three-dimensional morphology; Oxygenation; Reduction; Storage systems
• ISSN: 0921-5107; 1873-4944; 1873-4944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2021.115259

[Display omitted] •Cathodic co-deposition of in-situ functionalized GO by Ni2+ cations.•In-situ reduction of GO through cathodic co-electrodeposition.•Reduction-based engineering of 3D morphology of faradic Ni-rGO.•Enhancement of micro-roughness, geometric surface area, and the specific electroactive surface of Ni-rGO nanocomposite. Relying on the reduction of oxygenated functional groups of graphene oxide, the engineering of the morphology of Ni-based reduced graphene oxide (Ni-rGO) nanocomposite was carried out via galvanostatic electrochemical co-deposition by changing the current density in a range of 0.001–0.01 A.cm−2 and loading of 2 g.L−1 of graphene oxide. The morphology has been converted to a porous, rough, and three-dimensional (3D) form by significant incorporation and simultaneous reduction of GO into the structure of Ni-rGO nanocomposite film. Study on 3D morphology by SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and Raman confocal spectroscopy approved simultaneously reduction of oxygenated functional groups. Moreover, we have discussed the impact of rGO incorporated in the structure of Ni-rGO nanocomposite onto the creation of porous 3D-morphology and the enhancement of the electroactive specific surface. This new fascinating mechanism and structure can lead to the enhancement of electroactive components in electrochemical sensors and energy conversion-storage systems.