Preparation and capacitance performance of Ag–graphene based nanocomposite

Ag–graphene nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple way in situ simultaneous reduction of Ag+ ions and graphite oxide in a solution of hydrazine hydrate at 95 °C for 12 h. The morphology and structure of the obtained material are examined by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and XPS. The Ag nanoparticles with an average particle size of 20 nm are decorated on the surface of graphene in uniform and regular stacks, while the graphene nanosheets exist as an exfoliation state in Ag–graphene nanocomposite. The tremendous intensity decrease of the C–O and CO XPS peaks and the disappearance of FT-IR band around 1730 cm−1 for Ag–graphene nanocomposite suggest that the graphite oxide has been reduced into graphene. Electrochemical properties are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 2.0 mol L−1 KNO3 electrolyte. Ag–graphene nanocomposite electrode shows a characteristic Faradic capacitance behavior, and the specific capacitance value is 220 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1, which is much higher than that of the graphene electrode (140 F g−1). The high capacitance is ascribed to the large pseudocapacitance from the residual C–O and CO function groups, high electrical conductivity, and less aggregation of the graphene nanosheets due to the existence of Ag particles.

Ag–graphene nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple simultaneous reduction of Ag+ ions and graphite oxide in a solution of hydrazine hydrate at 95 °C for 12 h. The introduction of Ag nanoparticles into graphene electrode significantly improves the electrical performance. The Ag–graphene nanocomposite electrode showed a characteristic Faradic capacitance behavior, and the specific capacitance value was 220 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The Ag–graphene nanocomposite obtained by in situ simultaneous reduction method.
► The Ag nanoparticles prevent the aggregation reaction of the graphene nanosheets.
► The introduction of Ag nanoparticles into graphene electrode significantly improves the electrical performance.
► The Ag–graphene nanocomposite electrode shows a specific capacitance of 220 F g−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1.