Hierarchical graphene oxide/polyaniline nanocomposites prepared by interfacial electrochemical polymerization for flexible solid-state supercapacitors

Abstract

Hierarchical graphene oxide/polyaniline (GO/PANI) nanocomposites deposited on flexible substrates were synthesized by one-step interfacial electrochemical polymerization. PANI nanorods were coated on the surface of GO to form a three-dimensional nanostructure, which was prepared by the polymerization at the water/chloroform interface. The current density for interfacial electrochemical polymerization was up to 0.5 mA cm⁻², which is one-fold higher than that used in conventional electrochemical methods for nanostructures. Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra indicated that PANI in a highly doped state showed a strong π–π electronic interaction with GO, resulting in an increased degree of conjugation. The flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors using GO/PANI nanocomposites exhibited a high specific capacitance of 1095 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, good rate capability and cycling performance, thus showing an energy density of 24.3 W h kg⁻¹ and the maximum power density of 28.1 kW kg⁻¹. This performance outperforms numerous previous solid-state supercapacitors that used carbon-based/PANI nanocomposites because of the synergistic effect of GO and PANI based on hierarchical nanostructures controlled by interfacial electrochemical polymerization.