Enhancing the mechanical and electrochemical properties of reduced graphene oxide composites films through the combined actions of chitosan and polypyrrole

Abstract

With high conductivity, large surface area and a large number of interlayer structures, graphene has become an excellent choice for electrode materials in supercapacitors, but its mechanical strength and electrochemical performance need to be further improved. Herein, chitosan and polypyrrole were introduced into graphene oxide successively by a simple and low-cost method, and then the composite film was reduced by hydroiodic acid, leading to excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties. Structural characterizations verified the existence of covalent bond, π-π interaction and hydrogen bond, effectively improving the poor interface bonding between graphene sheets. The tensile strength and the microhardness of the composite film was increased by 182 % and 3000 % compared with original film. Electrochemical tests showed significantly improvement of the electrochemical activity, and the capacitance value could reach 170 F/g. This composite film with high strength and high electrochemical performance will become a promising candidate material in the field of flexible supercapacitors.