Electrochemical properties of graphene nanosheets/polyaniline nanofibers composites as electrode for supercapacitors

Graphene nanosheets/polyaniline nanofibers (GNS/PANI) composites are synthesized via in situ polymerization of aniline monomer in HClO(4) solution. The PANI nanofibers homogeneously coating on the surface of GNS greatly improve the charge transfer reaction. The GNS/PANI composites exhibit better electrochemical performances than the pure individual components. A remarkable specific capacitance of 1130 Fg(-1) (based on GNS/PANI composites) is obtained at a scan rate of 5 mV s(-1) in 1 M H(2)SO(4) solution compared to 402 Fg(-1) for pure PANI and 270 Fg(-1) for GNS. The excellent performance is not only due to the GNS which can provide good electrical conductivity and high specific surface area, but also associate with a good redox activity of ordered PANI nanofibers. Moreover, the GNS/PANI composites present excellent long cycle life with 87% specific capacitance retained after 1000 charge/discharge processes. The resulting composites are promising electrode materials for high-performance electrical energy storage devices. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.