A reinforced concrete structure rGO/CNTs/Fe2O3/PEDOT:PSS paper electrode with excellent wettability and flexibility for supercapacitors

Abstract

The design and preparation of a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) paper electrode with a reinforced concrete structure is an effective strategy to improve the mechanical properties of flexible electrodes. Therefore, PEDOT:PSS is added as a binder, toughening and conductive agent. CNTs, with good mechanical properties, are added to enhance the strength. Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are added to increase the energy storage. According to these assumptions, we successfully prepared a flexible hydrophilic paper electrode with rGO nanosheets, PEDOT:PSS, CNTs and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles by a constant temperature vacuum drying method. In addition, the assembled symmetrical supercapacitor exhibits a high capacitance of 1924 mF cm⁻³ at 1 mA cm⁻³, an excellent energy density of 35.6 W h kg⁻¹ (at 166 W kg⁻¹) and a remarkable cycle stability of 98.2% retention over 10 000 cycles at 1 mA cm⁻².