Preparation and Supercapacitive Performance of Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline Composite

Three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/polyaniline (PANI) composite has been prepared in a single step by the ultrasonic irradiation of a suspension of graphite oxide gels and PANI nanowire using a hydrothermal method. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and electrochemical measurements were performed to investigate the morphology, structure, and supercapacitive performance of the composite. The result showed that the composite maintained the basic morphology of RGO, and that the PANI was inlayed inside the RGO network. An outstanding supercapacitive performance was obtained when the mass ratio of graphite oxide and PANI was 1:1. Furthermore, the capacities reached 758 and 400 F.g(-1) at 0.5 and 30A.g(-1), respectively. The retention rate was found to be 86% after 1000 cycles at 1 A.g(-1). These results therefore indicate that this new composite possesses good rate capability and cycle stability, and that its supercapacitive performance is better than that of pure RGO or PANI. The excellent supercapacitive performance of this composite can be attributed to the mutual synergy of RGO and PANI.