Flower-like polyaniline/graphene hybrids for high-performance supercapacitor

A novel flower-like polyaniline/graphene hybrid (PANI-ATRGO) is prepared by a one-pot synthesis and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The structure, formation mechanism and electrochemical properties of such unique architecture are systematically investigated by combining Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscope, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical techniques. The results suggest that “V-type” amino groups of ATRGO and supermolecular assembly between PANI chains play the key role in the formation of flower-like nanostructures. Compare to pristine PANI (487 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), PANI-ATRGO electrode materials exhibit a remarkable improvement of the specific capacitance (1510 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) for supercapacitor in addition to excellent rate capacity and long-term cycling stability. Moreover, it is found that flower-like PANI-ATRGO hybrids exhibit better electrochemical properties than the corresponding nanorod-array hybrids in our previous study. This reveals the significance of controlling the hierarchical structure of hybrid materials in the development of high-performance supercapacitor.