Rapid microwave-assisted growth of silver nanoparticles on 3D graphene networks for supercapacitor application

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 493; pp. 130 - 137
• Main Authors: Khamlich, S., Khamliche, T., Dhlamini, M.S., Khenfouch, M., Mothudi, B.M., Maaza, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Graphene; Microwave; Silver nanoparticles; Supercapacitor; Supercapacitor; Microwave; Graphene; Silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.01.020

In this work, AgNPs were deposited on a 3d GNs by a simple and rapid microwave-assisted growth to form GNs/AgNPs nanocomposite electrode materials for supercapacitor application. The fabricated GNs/AgNPs exhibited a high specific capacitance of 528Fg−1 at 1Ag−1 and 93% specific capacitance retention after 3000cycles. These results suggested that the GNs/AgNPs is quite suitable and promising electrode material for high performance energy storage devices. [Display omitted] Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) grown on a three dimensional (3d) graphene networks (GNs) has been successfully prepared by an efficient and rapid microwave-assisted growth process to form GNs/AgNPs nanocomposite electrode materials for supercapacitor application. The 3d nature of the used GNs offers a unique architecture, which creates an efficient conduction networks and maximum utilization of space and interface, and acts as a conductive layer for the deposited AgNPs. The electrochemical performances of the fabricated electrode were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. Specifically, the optimal GNs/AgNPs nanocomposite exhibits remarkable performances with a high specific capacitance of 528Fg−1 at a current density of 1Ag−1 and excellent capacitance retention of ∼93% after 3000cycles. Moreover, this microwave-assisted growth strategy of AgNPs is simple and effective, which could be extended to the construction of other three dimensional graphene based metallic composites for energy storage and conversion applications.