Enhanced electrocapacitive performance of graphene oxide polypyrrole nanocomposites

Abstract

Aim

Graphene oxide/polypyrrole nanocomposites (PNCs) with enhanced electrocapacitive performance were prepared through a cationic surfactant assisted dilute solution polymerization of pyrrole in presence of GO at various concentrations (%, w/w) ranging 10.0–40.0 and ferric chloride as oxidant.

Methods

PNCs has been characterized through Fourier transformed infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential scanning caloriemetry. Electrochemical capacitance (C_s, F/g) of electrodes fabricated from PNCs over 316 stainless steel in presence of sulphonated polysulphone as binder has been investigated in KOH solution (1.0 M) with reference to Ag/AgCl at scan rate (V/s) ranging 0.2–0.001.

Results

PNCs with 20.0%, w/w of GO have shown highest C_s of 1073.64 as compared to 92.33 for pure PPy at a scan rate of 0.001 V/s. PNCs rendered a low electrocapacitive decrease during the first 500 cycles at scan rate of 0.1 V/s indicating their appreciable electrochemical performance for fabrication of supercapacitor electrodes.