Hydrothermally synthesized graphene and Fe3O4 nanocomposites for high performance capacitive deionization. Issue 15 (29th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Haibo; Leong, Zhi Yi; Shi, Wenhui; Zhang, Jun; Chen, Tupei; Yang, Hui Ying
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 15(2016)
• Page Start: 11967
• Page End: 11972
• Publication Date: 2016-01-29
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra23151e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Capacitive deionization (CDI) devices with low energy consumption and high salt removal efficiencies have attracted much attention. Abstract : Capacitive deionization (CDI) devices with low energy consumption and high salt removal efficiencies have attracted much attention. Recently, graphene has been proved to be one of the most promising materials for CDI electrodes. However, pristine graphene is far from desirable due to its low removal efficiency and unavoidable decays in performance. In this study, a reduced graphene oxide/Fe3 O4 nanoparticle (RGO@Fe3 O4 ) hybrid is proposed and synthesized via a hydrothermal approach for enhanced CDI. Electrochemical analysis of this nanocomposite material has revealed typical electrical double layer capacitive behaviour and an improved specific capacitance. Furthermore, the electrosorption capacity and current efficiency of RGO@Fe3 O4 were found to be nearly two folds higher than that of RGO. This huge improvement is attributed to the hydroxylation of the Fe3 O4 surface. In addition, the maximum electrosorption capacity predicted from the Langmuir isotherm was ∼8.33 and ∼4.63 mg g −1, corresponding to the RGO@Fe3 O4 and RGO electrode, respectively.