Characterization of graphene-based supercapacitors fabricated on Al foils using Au or Pd thin films as interlayers

Abstract

We demonstrate that an Au or Pd interlayer between graphene and an Al-foil current collector plays an important role in enhancing supercapacitor performance. Graphene was prepared by scalable chemical exfoliation and mild thermal reduction (similar to 150 degrees C) processes. Working electrodes were prepared by coating the graphene on Au/Al or Pd/Al by drop-dry method. The graphene deposited on the noble metals Au and Pd demonstrated excellent supercapacitor performance. Estimated specific energy and specific power of supercapacitors were similar to 40 Wh/kg and similar to 40 kW/kg at the current density of similar to 33 A/g, when operated in organic solution. Altogether, we demonstrate that employing noble metals in the fabrication of graphene-based supercapacitors can lead to excellent performance, and this could be a critical basis for further development of graphene-based supercapacitors. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.