Graphene Oxide Decorated Nanometal-Poly(Anilino-Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid) for Application in High Performance Supercapacitors

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) decorated with silver (Ag), copper (Cu) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles that are anchored on dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA)-doped polyaniline (PANI) were prepared by a simple one-step method and applied as novel materials for high performance supercapacitors. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) analyses revealed that a metal-decorated polymer matrix is embedded within the GO sheet. This caused the M/DBSA–PANI (M = Ag, Cu or Pt) particles to adsorb on the surface of the GO sheets, appearing as aggregated dark regions in the HRSEM images. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies revealed that GO was successfully produced and decorated with Ag, Cu or Pt nanoparticles anchored on DBSA–PANI. This was confirmed by the appearance of the GO signature epoxy C–O vibration band at 1040 cm−1 (which decreased upon the introduction of metal nanoparticle) and the PANI characteristic N–H stretching vibration band at 3144 cm−1 present only in the GO/M/DBSA–PANI systems. The composites were tested for their suitability as supercapacitor materials; and specific capacitance values of 206.4, 192.8 and 227.2 F·g−1 were determined for GO/Ag/DBSA–PANI, GO/Cu/DBSA–PANI and GO/Pt/DBSA–PANI, respectively. The GO/Pt/DBSA–PANI electrode exhibited the best specific capacitance value of the three electrodes and also had twice the specific capacitance value reported for Graphene/MnO2//ACN (113.5 F·g−1). This makes GO/Pt/DBSA–PANI a very promising organic supercapacitor material.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Carbon Based Electronic Devices

“…Dywily et al [1] describe the production of nanometal decorated graphene oxide anchored on PANI and its performance in supercapactors, achieving specific capacitance values up to 227.2 F/g; a value that favorably compares with other literature data involving graphene based systems. Bondavalli et al [8] focus on the fabrication of Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM) on flexible substrates based on oxidized carbon nanofibres (CNFs) showing that two different resistance states (ON, OFF) reversibly switchable can be obtained.…”

“…A wide spectra of carbon materials and a wide range of applications are described in the present issue. As per material type, papers deal with graphene and graphene-oxide [1][2][3][4], carbon nanotubes [2,5,6] and with other forms of carbon, such as porous carbon [7] and nanofibers [8,9]. A plethora of devices are witnessing the versatility of carbon materials: supercapacitors [1,9], non-volatile memories [8], pressure sensors [2,7], field-effect transistors [10], white-light photosensors [3], cold cathode electron emitters [5], gas and humidity detectors [6,11], MEMS and NEMS [12], carbon based inks for 3D microfluidic MEMS [13], transparent conductive electrodes [4].…”

Synthesis of Polyaniline/Graphene Oxide/Azobenzene Composite and Its Adjustable Photoelectric Properties

“…e performance of supercapacitors is closely related to electrode materials. erefore, a large number of theoretical and experimental research studies have been focused on designing and preparing novel and promising electrode materials with high capacitances and long-term stability [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Graphene‐functionalised Olivine Lithium Manganese Phosphate Derivatives for High Performance Lithium‐ion Capacitors

“…Graphene is a threedimensional material with good electrical conductivity, chemical and mechanical stability. It has shown great promise as a conductive carbon network facilitating electronic/ionic diffusion dynamics in the electrode [31,32]. Xu et al prepared LMP/rGO using a combination of solvothermal and accessible restacking method [18] while Fu et al prepared well-crystallized LMP/rGO using a rapid liquid-phase method [33].…”