Incorporation of manganese dioxide within ultraporous activated graphene for high-performance electrochemical capacitors.

Manganese dioxide (MnO(2)) particles 2-3 nm in size were deposited onto a porous "activated microwave expanded graphite oxide" (aMEGO) carbon scaffold via a self-controlled redox process. Symmetric electrochemical capacitors were fabricated that yielded a specific capacitance of 256 F/g (volumetric: 640 F/cm(3)) and a capacitance retention of 87.7% after 1000 cycles in 1 M H(2)SO(4); when normalized to MnO(2), the specific capacitance was 850 F/g. Asymmetric electrochemical capacitors were also fabricated with aMEGO/MnO(2) as the positive electrode and aMEGO as the negative electrode and had a power density of 32.3 kW/kg (for an energy density of 20.8 Wh/kg), an energy density of 24.3 Wh/kg (for a power density of 24.5 kW/kg), and a capacitance retention of 80.5% over 5000 cycles.

Nanostructured hybrid transparent conductive films with antibacterial properties.

Here, we demonstrate that the assembly of nanostructures with different dimensionalities yields "multicomponent hybrid" transparent conductive films (TCFs) with sheet resistance and optical transmittance comparable to that of indium tin oxide (ITO) films. It was shown that sheet resistance of single-component Ag nanowire (NW) films can be further decreased by introducing gold-decorated reduced graphene oxide (RG-O) nanoplatelets that bridge the closely located noncontacting metal NWs. RG-O nanoplatelets can act as a protective and adhesive layer for underneath metal NWs, resulting in better performance of hybrid TCFs compared to single-component TCFs. Additionally, these hybrid TCFs possess antibacterial properties, demonstrating their multifunctional characteristics that might have a potential for biomedical device applications. Further development of this strategy paves a way toward next generation TCFs composed of different nanostructures and characterized by multiple (or additional) functionalities.

Highly conductive and porous activated reduced graphene oxide films for high-power supercapacitors.

We present a novel method to prepare highly conductive, free-standing, and flexible porous carbon thin films by chemical activation of reduced graphene oxide paper. These flexible carbon thin films possess a very high specific surface area of 2400 m(2) g(-1) with a high in-plane electrical conductivity of 5880 S m(-1). This is the highest specific surface area for a free-standing carbon film reported to date. A two-electrode supercapacitor using these carbon films as electrodes demonstrated an excellent high-frequency response, an extremely low equivalent series resistance on the order of 0.1 ohm, and a high-power delivery of about 500 kW kg(-1). While higher frequency and power values for graphene materials have been reported, these are the highest values achieved while simultaneously maintaining excellent specific capacitances and energy densities of 120 F g(-1) and 26 W h kg(-1), respectively. In addition, these free-standing thin films provide a route to simplify the electrode-manufacturing process by eliminating conducting additives and binders. The synthetic process is also compatible with existing industrial level KOH activation processes and roll-to-roll thin-film fabrication technologies.

Activated graphene as a cathode material for Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors.

Chemically activated graphene ('activated microwave expanded graphite oxide', a-MEGO) was used as a cathode material for Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors. The performance of a-MEGO was first verified with Li-ion electrolyte in a symmetrical supercapacitor cell. Hybrid supercapacitors were then constructed with a-MEGO as the cathode and with either graphite or Li(4)Ti(5)O(12) (LTO) for the anode materials. The results show that the activated graphene material works well in a symmetrical cell with the Li-ion electrolyte with specific capacitances as high as 182 F g(-1). In a full a-MEGO/graphite hybrid cell, specific capacitances as high as 266 F g(-1) for the active materials at operating potentials of 4 V yielded gravimetric energy densities for a packaged cell of 53.2 W h kg(-1).

Carbon-based supercapacitors produced by activation of graphene.

Supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, store electrical charge on high-surface-area conducting materials. Their widespread use is limited by their low energy storage density and relatively high effective series resistance. Using chemical activation of exfoliated graphite oxide, we synthesized a porous carbon with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of up to 3100 square meters per gram, a high electrical conductivity, and a low oxygen and hydrogen content. This sp(2)-bonded carbon has a continuous three-dimensional network of highly curved, atom-thick walls that form primarily 0.6- to 5-nanometer-width pores. Two-electrode supercapacitor cells constructed with this carbon yielded high values of gravimetric capacitance and energy density with organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. The processes used to make this carbon are readily scalable to industrial levels.

Nanostructured reduced graphene oxide/Fe2O3 composite as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries.

Reduced graphene oxide/Fe(2)O(3) composite was prepared using a facile two-step synthesis by homogeneous precipitation and subsequent reduction of the G-O with hydrazine under microwave irradiation to yield reduced graphene oxide (RG-O) platelets decorated with Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles. As an anode material for Li-ion batteries, the RG-O/Fe(2)O(3) composite exhibited discharge and charge capacities of 1693 and 1227 mAh/g, respectively, normalized to the mass of Fe(2)O(3) in the composite (and ∼1355 and 982 mAh/g, respectively, based on the total mass of the composite), with good cycling performance and rate capability. Characterization shows that the Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surface of the RG-O platelets in the composite. The total specific capacity of RG-O/Fe(2)O(3) is higher than the sum of pure RG-O and nanoparticle Fe(2)O(3), indicating a positive synergistic effect of RG-O and Fe(2)O(3) on the improvement of electrochemical performance. The synthesis approach presents a promising route for a large-scale production of RG-O platelet/metal oxide nanoparticle composites as electrode materials for Li-ion batteries.

Mesoporous carbon capsules as electrode materials in electrochemical double layer capacitors.

The performance of mesoporous carbon capsules as electrode materials in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) was evaluated in the presence of a variety of electrolytes, including room temperature ionic liquids (ILs).

Exfoliation of graphite oxide in propylene carbonate and thermal reduction of the resulting graphene oxide platelets.

Graphite oxide was exfoliated and dispersed in propylene carbonate (PC) by bath sonication. Heating the graphene oxide suspensions at 150 degrees C significantly reduced the graphene oxide platelets; paper samples comprising such reduced graphene oxide platelets had an electrical conductivity of 5230 S/m. By adding tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEA BF(4)) to the reduced graphene oxide/PC slurry and making a two-cell ultracapacitor, specific capacitance values of about 120 F/g were obtained.

Graphene-based ultracapacitors.

The surface area of a single graphene sheet is 2630 m(2)/g, substantially higher than values derived from BET surface area measurements of activated carbons used in current electrochemical double layer capacitors. Our group has pioneered a new carbon material that we call chemically modified graphene (CMG). CMG materials are made from 1-atom thick sheets of carbon, functionalized as needed, and here we demonstrate in an ultracapacitor cell their performance. Specific capacitances of 135 and 99 F/g in aqueous and organic electrolytes, respectively, have been measured. In addition, high electrical conductivity gives these materials consistently good performance over a wide range of voltage scan rates. These encouraging results illustrate the exciting potential for high performance, electrical energy storage devices based on this new class of carbon material.