One-pot synthesis of graphene/zinc oxide by microwave irradiation with enhanced supercapacitor performance

Abstract

A facile one-step microwave irradiation method is developed to synthesize a composite of graphene and zinc oxide, which is quick and environmentally friendly. The obtained nanostructured hybrid material was utilized for the fabrication of a supercapacitor electrode and the electrochemical performance was investigated intensively. The electrode with the as-prepared graphene/zinc oxide composite displayed a specific capacitance as high as 201 F g⁻¹ in 1 M Na₂SO₄ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, which is much higher than those of pure microwave reduction graphene oxide (77 F g⁻¹) and zinc oxide (5 F g⁻¹) at the same current density. In addition, the specific capacitance of the MRGO/ZnO electrode presented an outstanding cycling stability with capacitance retention of 93% even after 3000 cycles. This research provides a feasible method for low-cost manufacture of other graphene-based materials with high-performance applications in energy-storage.