Supercapacitors based on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide and borocarbonitrides

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 175-176; pp. 43 - 50
• Main Authors: Gopalakrishnan, K., Moses, Kota, Govindaraj, A., Rao, C.N.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013
• Subjects: A. Borocarbonitrides; A. Graphene; A. Nitrogenated graphene; D. Supercapacitors; A. Nitrogenated graphene; D. Supercapacitors; A. Graphene; A. Borocarbonitrides
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2013.02.005

Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (RGO) samples with different nitrogen content, prepared by two different methods, as well as nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene have been investigated as supercapacitor electrodes. Two electrode measurements have been carried out both in aqueous (6M KOH) and in ionic liquid media. Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxides exhibit satisfactory specific capacitance, the values reaching 126F/g at a scan rate of 10mV/s in aqueous medium. Besides providing supercapacitor characteristics, the study has shown the nitrogen content and surface area to be important factors. High surface-area borocarbonitrides, BxCyNz, prepared by the urea route appear to be excellent supercapacitor electrode materials. Thus, BC4.5N exhibits a specific capacitance of 169F/g at a scan rate of 10mV/s in aqueous medium. In an ionic liquid medium, nitrogen-doped RGO and BC4.5N exhibit specific capacitance values of 258F/g and 240F/g at a scan rate of 5mV/s. The ionic liquid enables a larger operating voltage range of 0.0–2.5V compared to 0.0–1V in aqueous medium. ► Nitrogen-doped graphene showed enhanced capacitance than graphene. ► Specific capacitance increases with increase in the nitrogen content in graphene. ► High surface area BxCyNz appears to be an excellent supercapacitor electrode material.