A simple microexplosion synthesis of graphene-based scroll-sheet conjoined nanomaterials for enhanced supercapacitor properties

•SSCNs are prepared by a microexplosion technique using mild catalyst-Fe3+.•The scrolls are linked up with GS for forming SSCNs.•The introduction of scrolled structure enhances the capacitive performance of GS.•SSCNs are promising graphene-based supercapacitor materials.

Scrolled graphene are designed by a simple microexplosion technique using a mild ionic catalyst-Fe3+, and assembled into the scroll-sheet conjoined nanomaterials (SSCNs) with unscrolled parts for supercapacitor. The morphology and structure of SSCNs are characterized by transmission electron microscope, N2 adsorption/desorption, Raman spectra and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that graphene (GS) are partly scrolled on the edge, with the scroll and sheet conjoined together. SSCN has a high specific capacitance of 224 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1, and still displays a specific capacitance of 181 F g−1 at 30.0 A g−1, while the value is only 95 F g−1 for GS and 84 F g−1 for the composites of GS and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (GS/MWCNTs), suggesting that the introduction of scroll-sheet conjoined structure significantly enhances the capacitive performance of GS.

Graphical abstractScrolled graphene are designed by a simple microexplosion technique using a mild ionic catalyst-Fe3+, and assembled scroll-sheet conjoined nanomaterials (SSCNs) with unscrolled parts for enhanced supercapacitor properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide