Cellulose-derived carbon nanofibers/graphene composite electrodes for powerful compact supercapacitors. Issue 73 (28th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuzmenko, Volodymyr; Wang, Nan; Haque, Mazharul; Naboka, Olga; Flygare, Mattias; Svensson, Krister; Gatenholm, Paul; Liu, Johan; Enoksson, Peter
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 7:Issue 73(2017)
• Page Start: 45968
• Page End: 45977
• Publication Date: 2017-09-28
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra07533b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Presented freestanding carbon nanofibers/graphene composite electrodes for supercapacitors have two essential advantages: sustainable nature and high volumetric electrochemical efficiency. Abstract : Herein, we demonstrate a unique supercapacitor composite electrode material that is originated from a sustainable cellulosic precursor via simultaneous one-step carbonization/reduction of cellulose/graphene oxide mats at 800 °C. The resulting freestanding material consists of mechanically stable carbon nanofibrous (CNF, fiber diameter 50–500 nm) scaffolds tightly intertwined with highly conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets with a thickness of 1–3 nm. The material is mesoporous and has electrical conductivity of 49 S cm −1, attributed to the well-interconnected graphene layers. The electrochemical evaluation of the CNF/graphene composite electrodes in a supercapacitor device shows very promising volumetric values of capacitance, energy and power density (up to 46 F cm −3, 1.46 W h L −1 and 1.09 kW L −1, respectively). Moreover, the composite electrodes retain an impressive 97% of the initial capacitance over 4000 cycles. With these superior properties, the produced composite electrodes should be the "looked-for" components in compact supercapacitors used for increasingly popular portable electronics and hybrid vehicles.