Effect of reducing system on capacitive behavior of reduced graphene oxide film: Application for supercapacitor

• The structure of the graphene film has a pronounced effect on capacitive behavior.
• The use of water/HI as reducing system results in an ideal capacitive behavior.
• The use of acetic acid/HI as reducing system results in a high specific capacitance.

To determine the best chemical reduction of graphene oxide film with hydriodic acid that gives maximum energy and power density, we studied the effect of two reducing systems, hydriodic acid/water and hydriodic acid/acetic acid, on the morphology and electrochemical features of reduced graphene oxide film. Using acetic acid as solvent results in high electrical conductivity (5195 S m−1), excellent specific capacitance (384 F g−1) and good cyclic stability (about 98% of its initial response after 4000 cycles). Using water as a solvent, results in an ideal capacitive behavior and excellent cyclic stability (about 6% increase of its initial response after 2100 cycles).

The choice of reducing system determines the morphology and structure of the chemically reduced graphene film and, as a result, affects largely the capacitive behavior.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide