Preparation of activated graphene and effect of activation parameters on electrochemical capacitance

Activation parameters such as temperature and the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) were varied during the synthesis of activated microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide (a-MEGO) and the effects of these parameters on the specific surface area of a-MEGO and electrochemical capacitance of a-MEGO electrodes were investigated. At 800 °C and a KOH/MEGO mass ratio of 6.5, a maximum specific surface area of 3100 m2/g was obtained and a high specific capacitance of 172 F/g (at 1 A/g constant current and 3.5 V maximal voltage) was measured in a two-electrode cell with a-MEGO electrodes in an organic electrolyte.