Hydrothermal synthesis of reduced graphene sheets/Fe2O3 nanorods composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance for supercapacitors

• Published in: Solid state sciences Vol. 20; pp. 46 - 53
• Main Authors: Yang, Wanlu, Gao, Zan, Wang, Jun, Wang, Bin, Liu, Lianhe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Issy-les-Moulineaux Elsevier Masson SAS 01.06.2013; Elsevier Masson
• Subjects: Composite electrode; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fe2O3 nanorods; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Graphene nanosheets; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; Quantum wires; Specific materials; Supercapacitor; Supercapacitor; Graphene nanosheets; Fe2O3 nanorods; Composite electrode; Nanoplate; Iron oxide; Nanosheet; nanorods; Electrode material; O; Cyclic voltammetry; Electrochemical properties; Composite materials; Hydrothermal synthesis; Graphene; Capacitance; Electrolytes; Nanorod; Nanostructured materials; Nanomaterial synthesis; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Fe
• ISSN: 1293-2558; 1873-3085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2013.03.011

Reduced graphene nanosheets/Fe2O3 nanorods (GNS/Fe2O3) composite has been fabricated by a hydrothermal route for supercapacitor electrode materials. The obtained GNS/Fe2O3 composite formed a uniform structure with the Fe2O3 nanorods grew on the graphene surface and/or filled between the graphene sheets. The electrochemical performances of the GNS/Fe2O3 hybrid supercapacitor were tested by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Comparing with the pure Fe2O3 electrode, GNS/Fe2O3 composite electrode exhibits an enhanced specific capacitance of 320 F g−1 at 10 mA cm−2 and an excellent cycle-ability with capacity retention of about 97% after 500 cycles. The simple and cost-effective preparation technique of this composite with good capacitive behavior encourages its potential commercial application. [Display omitted] •Graphene nanosheets were synthesized via using glucose as a reducing agent.•Fe2O3 nano-rods grew onto conducting graphene sheets keeping neighboring sheets separate.•The open layer structure improves the contact between the electrode and the electrolyte.•Results showed that these composites have good electrochemical property.