Graphene oxide-based benzimidazole-crosslinked networks for high-performance supercapacitorsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed methods of preparation of GOBINPPA, SEM images, IR spectra, TGA, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, pore size distribution, gravimetric hydrogen adsorption, carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms, and virial analysis of the adsorption data for GOBIN materials. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01480k

• Main Authors: Cui, Yi, Cheng, Qian-Yi, Wu, Haiping, Wei, Zhixiang, Han, Bao-Hang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 22.08.2013
• DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01480k
• ISSN: 2040-3364

The synthesis of graphene oxide (GO)-based benzimidazole-crosslinked network (GOBIN) materials is presented. These materials are prepared by the covalent crosslinking of GO sheets using a condensation reaction between the carboxylic acid moieties on the GO surface and the o -aminophenyl end groups of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (or 1,2,4,5-benzenetetraamine tetrahydrochloride). An efficient one-pot catalyst- and template-free synthesis was performed. The obtained porous GO-based materials possess a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area ranging from 260 to 920 m 2 g −1 . Electrochemical testing indicates that the GOBIN materials display a specific capacitance up to 370 F g −1 at a current density of 0.1 A g −1 and about 90% of the original capacitance is retained after 5000 cycles at a current density of 3 A g −1 . Therefore, GOBIN materials can be employed as promising electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors with outstanding cycling stability. Furthermore, owing to their significantly high specific surface area, these materials also show hydrogen uptake (up to 1.24 wt%, at 77 K and 1.0 bar) and carbon dioxide capture (up to 14.2 wt%, at 273 K and 1.0 bar) properties. As a result, these GO-based porous materials improve both the supercapacitor performance and gas sorption property, which demonstrate an excellent performance in the practical application of energy storage. GOBIN materials have been synthesized with a high BET specific surface area, and exhibit high specific capacitances and good cycling stability.