Improving electrochemical performance of hybrid electrode materials by a composite of nanocellulose, reduced oxide graphene and polyaniline

Abstract

Novel ternary composites of polyaniline (PANI), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are prepared by a chemical method for hybrid supercapacitors. CNFs were extracted from sugarcane bagasse waste in sugar production, by physicochemical processes. The composites were investigated as electrode-active materials for hybrid supercapacitors. The obtained results revealed that the presence of RGO and CNFs in the composites led to enhanced electrochemical performances, such as capacitance, rate capability, and long-term cyclability of the composite. The optimal composite of CNFs/RGO/PANI with a weight ratio of 4/16/80 can deliver the highest specific capacitance at 566.2 F g⁻¹ under an applied current of 1 A g⁻¹. After 1000 cycles of repetitive charge and discharge, the optimal composite retains 85.4% of its initial capacitance, whereas the PANI electrode obtained only 36.7% under the same conditions. Moreover, the supercapacitive performance is also strongly dependent on the component of the ternary composites. Overall, the composite is a promising material for hybrid supercapacitors; and the CNF component is a renewable material and a product of waste materials.