Polyaniline uniformly coated on graphene oxide sheets as supercapacitor material with improved capacitive properties

Composites of polyaniline (PANI) and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared in the suspension of GO in the presence of aniline and H2O2 in acidic media. Open-circuit potential measurements confirmed that the simultaneous use of GO and H2O2 made the polymerization of aniline faster and more effective than using GO or H2O2 alone. SEM observation showed that PANI nanoparticles were deposited on GO sheets with uniform and well-arranged morphology. It was found that there were considerably strong interactions between GO and PANI chains in the composites. Along with the cyclic voltammetric properties of typical PANI, the composites exhibited a capacitance as high as 797 F g−1 with a good stability during long-term cyclic voltammetric measurements, which was attributed to the uniform arrangement of PANI nanoparticles on GO sheets, leading to improved charge transport in the composites.

Graphene oxide/PANI composites were synthesized by growing PANI nanoparticles on graphene oxide sheets. The composite exhibited high capacitance and long-term stability.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► GO/PANI composites were prepared by polymerizing aniline on GO sheets.
► The activation of monomers by GO was important in the synthesis of the composite.
► The simultaneous use of H2O2 and GO improved the growth of PANI on GO surfaces.
► The composite exhibited high specific capacitance and energy density.
► The composite had good long-term stability with capacitance retention of 118% after 500 cycles.