High-energy-density supercapacitors using supersonically sprayed water-based precursors comprising cobalt iron oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanosheets

Abstract

A water-based iron oxide/cobalt/reduced graphene oxide (Fe2O3/Co/rGO) precursor was spray-coated via supersonic spraying onto a flexible substrate to fabricate supercapacitor electrodes. The inclusion of Co in Fe2O3 increased the number of electrochemical reaction sites and enhanced the local electron mobility, which in turn improved the overall energy storage capability of the electrodes. The Co salt concentration was varied to determine the optimal electrochemical performance. Supersonic spraying was utilized to coat rGO sheets, on which the bimetallic CoFe2O3 particles were evenly distributed. The uniform coating of rGO and its excellent electrical conductivity increased the electron mobility of the electrode and provided shorter ionic diffusion pathways. Furthermore, the catastrophic impact of supersonic spraying led to the exfoliation of the rGO sheets, which increased the surface area and enhanced the adherence of the CoFe2O3 particles to the substrate. This rGO exfoliation also enabled the accommodation of the CoFe2O3 particles between the exfoliated graphene sheets, thereby enhancing electron transport throughout the electrode. The optimal sample exhibited a specific capacitance of 1.11 F center dot cm(-2) at a current rate of 2 mA center dot cm(-2), energy density of 0.62 mWh center dot cm(-2) at a power density of 8 mW center dot cm(-2), and capacitance retention of 89% after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles.