All-Solid-State Symmetric Supercapacitor Based on Co₃O₄ Nanoparticles on Vertically Aligned Graphene

Abstract

We have synthesized the hybrid supercapacitor electrode of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles on vertically aligned graphene nanosheets (VAGNs) supported by carbon fabric. The VAGN served as an excellent backbone together with the carbon fabric, enhancing composites to a high specific capacitance of 3480 F/g, approaching the theoretical value (3560 F/g). A highly flexible all-solid-state symmetric supercapacitor device was fabricated by two pieces of our Co₃O₄/VAGN/carbon fabric hybrid electrode. The device is suitable for different bending angles and delivers a high capacitance (580 F/g), good cycling ability (86.2% capacitance retention after 20 000 cycles), high energy density (80 Wh/kg), and high power density (20 kW/kg at 27 Wh/kg). These excellent electrochemical performances, as a result of the particular structure of VAGN and the flexibility of the carbon fabric, suggest that these composites have an enormous potential in energy application.