High voltage supercapacitors using hydrated graphene film in a neutral aqueous electrolyte

The potential stability windows of chemical converted graphene in different aqueous electrolyte solutions were investigated for the first time. Based on this result, a supercapacitor with a high voltage and long cycle-life was prepared with the hydrated graphene films in the neutral aqueous solution at the maximum voltage of 1.6 and even 1.8 V. The electrochemical performance of the obtained sample was systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. According to the cyclic voltammetry, hydrated graphene film can still retain rectangular shape at the high scan rate of 0.5 V/s in the neutral aqueous electrolyte. At a galvanostatic charge/discharge rate of 1 or 200 A/g, the specific capacitance of 202.3 or 138.1 F/g was delivered, respectively. Furthermore, the EIS results also confirm its fast neutral ion diffusion and high operating frequency of 9.34 Hz.

► Potential window of chemically converted graphene is 1.8V in neutral aq. solution.
► Hydrated graphene film-based supercapacitor can operate at 1.8 V in neutral solution.
► At 1 and 200 A/g, its specific capacitances reach 197.6 and 138.1 F/g.
► Its operating frequency is as high as 9.34 Hz together with the scan rate over 1 V/s.