Highly porous graphene on carbon cloth as advanced electrodes for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors

We successfully prepared a highly porous graphene on carbon cloth (PG/CC) via an electrophoretic deposition process. With this process, in order to obtain high porous graphene on carbon cloth, fine-size graphene should be used. When large-size graphene was used, carbon cloth was only covered by graphene (G/CC) without porous surface. PG/CC was used as electrodes for Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitors (FASSSs). The porous structure of PG/CC electrode significantly increased the surface area of graphene and thus the specific capacitance (79.19 F g−1 for PG/CC and 32.35 F g−1 for G/CC). The macroscopic porous morphology of carbon cloth as the electrode matrix enhanced the integration between electrode and electrolyte, which is favorable for the ion diffusion and electron transport. The excellent mechanical stability and flexibility of PG/CC ensures the device with good flexibility. The resultant PG/CC based FASSSs showed high specific capacitance, good cycling stability, and enhanced energy density and power density.

Graphical abstractHighly porous graphene was successfully deposited on the surface of carbon cloth (PG/CC) via an electrophoresis deposition process. The as-prepared PG/CC was used as electrode materials for flexible all-solid-sate supercapacitors (FASSSs), showing high specific capacitance, great long-term stability, and high energy and power densities. The as-fabricated FASSS using PG/CC as electrodes shows the similar electrochemical performance before and after bending the FASSS due to its great flexibility.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Highly porous graphene were successfully prepared on carbon cloth (PG/CC). ► The size of graphene precursor affects the morphology of PG/CC. ► The PG/CC could be used as flexible electrode materials for all-solid-state supercapacitor.