Issue 8, 2021

Sulfur and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots/PANI nanocomposites for supercapacitors

Abstract

Sulfur and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots/polyaniline (S,N-GQDP) nanocomposites are prepared by a two-step synthesis method. The heteroatoms (sulfur and nitrogen) doped graphene quantum dots (S,N-GQDs) are first prepared by a hydrothermal method and then mixed with aniline at three different concentrations, followed by polymerization to form S,N-GQDP1, S,N-GQDP2 and S,N-GQDP3 nanocomposites. Various physicochemical characterization techniques are used to confirm the formation of S,N-GQDs and their interaction with polyaniline (PANI) in S,N-GQDP nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectral analyses confirm the delocalization of electrons in the polymer backbone of S,N-GQDP through electrostatic interaction and the π–π interaction between S,N-GQDs and pristine PANI. The pristine PANI and the three-different nanocomposites are used as electroactive materials to assess the energy storage properties. The S,N-GQDP2 composite has pine cone shape-like particles with a high surface area (154 m2 g−1). The doping of heteroatoms improves the electrical conductivity and increases the reactive sites that act as trap sites for enhanced ion storage. The S,N-GQDP2 nanocomposite shows a highest specific capacitance of 645 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 in the three-electrode configuration. The S,N-GQDP2 composite-based symmetric cell shows an energy density of 17.25 Wh kg−1 (corresponding device capacitance of 124.2 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1) at a power density of 500 W kg−1. A high volumetric energy density of 18.11 Wh L−1 is obtained at a volumetric power density of 525 W L−1. In addition, the S,N-GQDP2 nanocomposite-based symmetric device shows good cycling stability for 1000 cycles with a capacitance retention of 90%.

Graphical abstract: Sulfur and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots/PANI nanocomposites for supercapacitors

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Jan 2021
Accepted
26 Jan 2021
First published
26 Jan 2021

New J. Chem., 2021,45, 4101-4110

Sulfur and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots/PANI nanocomposites for supercapacitors

H. Kuzhandaivel, S. Manickam, S. K. Balasingam, M. C. Franklin, H. Kim and K. S. Nallathambi, New J. Chem., 2021, 45, 4101 DOI: 10.1039/D1NJ00038A

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