Irradiation preparation of reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube composites for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

Novel hierarchical composites of reduced graphene oxide/acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (RGO/aMWCNT) are prepared by 60Co γ-ray irradiation in isopropanol/water under an inert atmosphere. The irradiation reduction mechanism of graphene oxide is further investigated and verified. The prepared RGO/aMWCNT composites display a three-dimensional interpenetrating network structure. And the composite with the GO/aMWCNT weight ratio of 80/20 possesses high conductivity (1820 S m−1), large specific surface area (1420 m2 g−1) and low oxygen content. As a result, it shows improved electrochemical capacitance (227 F g−1), excellent cycling stability (4.9% capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles) and rate capability. Furthermore, this irradiation reduction technique used to prepare the RGO/aMWCNT composites is readily scalable to industrial levels.