Microwave‐Assisted In Situ Synthesis of Graphene/PEDOT Hybrid and Its Application in Supercapacitors

Abstract

Abstract A graphene/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (G/PEDOT) hybrid was prepared by the in situ polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene using the precursor of graphene, graphene oxide, as an oxidant under microwave heating. The G/PEDOT hybrid was characterized by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of G/PEDOT hybrid electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The G/PEDOT hybrid as a supercapacitor electrode material afforded high specific capacitance and good cycling stability (93 % retention after 10 000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g −1 ) during the charge–discharge process. A maximum specific capacitance as high as 270 F g −1 at a current density of 1 A g −1 was achieved in 1 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte solution. In addition, the energy density of the G/PEDOT hybrid reached 34 W h kg −1 at a power density of 25 kW kg −1 .