Few layered graphene/ZnO nanocomposites as electrode of supercapacitor

Abstract

Owing to their unique characteristics, nano sized semiconducting particles are being widely probed with respect to the effect of particle size. The biological, chemical and physical properties of these particles are found to be enhanced significantly by decreasing the particle size from micrometer to nanometer scale. Among them, zinc oxide is a versatile material with superior electronic transport capabilities, robust optical transparency, relatively huge surface area to volume ratio, large exciton binding energy (60 meV) at room temperature and wide band gap (3.37 eV). Graphene, considered as the parent of all carbon materials, is a two-dimensional layered hexagonal lattice of sp2 bonded carbon atoms. This work has been carried out to explore the electrochemistry of few layered graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposites. The morphology and size of the composites were characterized by using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The electrochemical behavior of the prepared nanocomposites was studied by using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry. The obtained materials were tested as electrodes in supercapacitors. The graphene based ZnO nanocomposites exhibit enhanced specific capacitance when compared with pure ZnO samples.Owing to their unique characteristics, nano sized semiconducting particles are being widely probed with respect to the effect of particle size. The biological, chemical and physical properties of these particles are found to be enhanced significantly by decreasing the particle size from micrometer to nanometer scale. Among them, zinc oxide is a versatile material with superior electronic transport capabilities, robust optical transparency, relatively huge surface area to volume ratio, large exciton binding energy (60 meV) at room temperature and wide band gap (3.37 eV). Graphene, considered as the parent of all carbon materials, is a two-dimensional layered hexagonal lattice of sp2 bonded carbon atoms. This work has been carried out to explore the electrochemistry of few layered graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposites. The morphology and size of the composites were characterized by using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The electrochemical behavior of the prepar...