Chemically patterned polyaniline arrays located on pyrolytic graphene for supercapacitors

Here we report a novel approach to fabricate pyrolytic graphene (RGO)-based composites with highly-oriented polyaniline (PANI) nanothorn arrays by solvothermal in-situ polymerization in a reverse microemulsion system. It has been found that monodispersed nano-thorns (the tip of individual thorn is similar to 20 nm in diameter) exist in a fiber-stacked form with successive, fiber-linked webs distributing at the bottom of the thorns, which uniformly grow on the exfoliated RGO sheets. With important advantages of large surface area, nano size and three-dimensional ion/electron transfer channels, such a unique superstructure as the electrode for supercapacitors delivers specific capacitances up to 595 and 438 F g(-1) at 0.5 and 2 A g(-1) (844 and 625 F g(-1) at 0.5 and 2 A g(-1) based on PANI loading in the composite), respectively, showing fairly high capacitance and good rate capability. And this architecture exhibits good cycle performance in prolonged cycling. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.