Polythiophene-based reduced graphene oxide and carbon black nanocomposites for supercapacitors

In this study, polythiophene (PTh), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), or graphene oxide (GO) and carbon black (CB) nanocomposites (rGO/PTh/CB and GO/PTh/CB) have been prepared chemically and electrospinning method for two-electrode symmetric attractive application prospects for supercapacitors. They have been synthesized by an easy procedure and cheaper than most of the other thiophene-based materials in the literature. Nanocomposites are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermal gravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, and Four-point probe conductivity analysis. The highest electrical conductivity was calculated as 22.4 x 10(-4) S x cm(-1) for PTh due to the good conjugation of pi-pi bonds. The highest specific capacitance (C-sp = 930.63 F x g(-1) by CV method at 2 mV x s(-1)), capacitance retention (similar to 92.57% at 1000 cycles at 100 mV x s(-1) by CV method), energy density (E = 42.47 Wh x kg(-1)) and power density (P = 1532 W x kg(-1) by GCD method) were obtained for rGO/PTh/CB nanocomposite. With the addition of PTh and CB on GO material, the specific capacitance was increased 6.86 times from C-sp = 135.62 F x g(-1) for rGO to C-sp = 930.62 F x g(-1) for rGO/PTh/CB nanocomposite at 2 mV x s(-1) by CV method. In addition, R-s(C1Rct(C2R1)) circuit model was applied to interpret electrical parameters of supercapacitors. The results of this investigation demonstrate that rGO/PTh/CB nanocomposite can be successfully used as a supercapacitor technology.

Automated summary

Polythiophene (PTh), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites with carbon black (CB) have been synthesized and show promising potential for supercapacitors. The nanocomposites exhibit high electrical conductivity and specific capacitance, with the rGO/PTh/CB composite achieving the highest capacitance retention, energy density, and power density. The addition of PTh and CB to the GO material significantly increases the specific capacitance. This study demonstrates the successful use of rGO/PTh/CB nanocomposites for supercapacitor technology.