3D Graphene Network with Covalently Grafted Aniline Tetramer for Ultralong-Life Supercapacitors

The conducting polymer polyaniline (PANI) has been considered to be a promising pseudocapacitive electrode material for supercapacitors due to its high specific capacitance, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the poor cycling stability of PANI during the charge–discharge processes limits its widespread practical application. Herein, a facile synthetic method is demonstrated for covalently grafting an aniline tetramer (TANI), the basic building block of PANI, onto 3D graphene networks via perfluorophenylazide coupling chemistry to create a hybrid electrode material for ultralong-life supercapacitors. The design, which substitutes long-chain PANI with short-chain TANI and introduces covalent linkages between TANI and 3D graphene, greatly enhances the charge–discharge cycling stability of PANI-based supercapacitors. The electrode material, as well as the fabricated symmetric all-solid-state supercapacitors, exhibit extraordinary long cycle life (>85% capacitance retention after 30 000 charge–discharge cycles). The capacitance can be further boosted through fast and reversible redox reactions on the electrode surface using a redox-active electrolyte while maintaining outstanding cycling stability (82% capacitance retention after 100 000 cycles for a symmetric all-solid-state device). While conducting polymers are known to be limited by their poor cycling stability, this work provides an effective strategy to achieve enhanced cycle life for conducting polymer-based energy storage devices.     

High‐Performance Wearable Micro‐Supercapacitors Based on Microfluidic‐Directed Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Fiber Electrodes

Fiber‐shaped micro‐supercapacitors (micro‐SCs) have attracted enormous interest in wearable electronics due to high flexibility and weavability. However, they usually present a low energy density because of inhomogeneity and less pores. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic‐directed strategy to synthesize homogeneous nitrogen‐doped porous graphene fibers. The porous fibers‐based micro‐SCs utilize solid‐state phosphoric acid/polyvinyl alcohol (H₃PO₄/PVA) and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/poly(vinylidenefluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (EMIBF₄/PVDF‐HFP) electrolytes, which show significant improvements in electrochemical performances. Ultralarge capacitance (1132 mF cm^?2), high cycling‐stability, and long‐term bending‐durability are achieved based on H₃PO₄/PVA. Additionally, high energy densities of 95.7–46.9 µWh cm^?2 at power densities of 1.5–15 W cm^?2 are obtained in EMIBF₄/PVDF‐HFP. The key to higher performances stems from microfluidic‐controlled fibers with a uniformly porous network, large specific surface area (388.6 m² g^?1), optimal pyridinic nitrogen (2.44%), and high electric conductivity (30785 S m^?1) for faster ion diffusion and flooding accommodation. By taking advantage of these remarkable merits, this study integrates micro‐SCs into flexible and fabric substrates to power audio–visual electronics. The main aim is to clarify the important role of microfluidic techniques toward the architecture of electrodes and promote development of wearable electronics.     

Superior Micro‐Supercapacitors Based on Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted tremendous research interest due to the unique properties associated with both graphene and quantum dots. Here, a new application of GQDs as ideal electrode materials for supercapacitors is reported. To this end, a GQDs//GQDs symmetric micro‐supercapacitor is prepared using a simple electro‐deposition approach, and its electrochemical properties in aqueous electrolyte and ionic liquid electrolyte are systematically investigated. The results show that the as‐made GQDs micro‐supercapacitor has superior rate capability up to 1000 V s^?1, excellent power response with very short relaxation time constant (τ₀ = 103.6 μs in aqueous electrolyte and τ₀ = 53.8 μs in ionic liquid electrolyte), and excellent cycle stability. Additionally, another GQDs//MnO₂ asymmetric supercapacitor is also built using MnO₂ nanoneedles as the positive electrode and GQDs as the negative electrode in aqueous electrolyte. Its specific capacitance and energy density are both two times higher than those of GQDs//GQDs symmetric micro‐supercapacitor in the same electrolyte. The results presented here may pave the way for a new promising application of GQDs in micropower suppliers and microenergy storage devices.     

Microporous Polypyrrole‐Coated Graphene Foam for High‐Performance Multifunctional Sensors and Flexible Supercapacitors

This study reports on the fabrication of pressure/temperature/strain sensors and all‐solid‐state flexible supercapacitors using only polydimethylsiloxane coated microporous polypyrrole/graphene foam composite (PDMS/PPy/GF) as a common material. A dual‐mode sensor is designed with PDMS/PPy/GF, which measures pressure and temperature with the changes of current and voltage, respectively, without interference to each other. The fabricated dual‐mode sensor shows high sensitivity, fast response/recovery, and high durability during 10 000 cycles of pressure loading. The pressure is estimated using the thermoelectric voltage induced by simultaneous increase in temperature caused by a finger touch on the sensor. Additionally, a resistor‐type strain sensor fabricated using the same PDMS/PPy/GF could detect the strain up to 50%. Flexible, high performance supercapacitor used as a power supply is fabricated with electrodes of PPy/GF for its high surface area and pseudocapacitance. Furthermore, an integrated system of such fabricated multifunctional sensors and a supercapacitor on a skin‐attachable flexible substrate using liquid–metal interconnections operates well, whereas sensors are driven by the power of the supercapacitor. This study clearly demonstrates that the appropriate choice of a single functional material enables fabrication of active multifunctional sensors for pressure, temperature, and strain, as well as the supercapacitor, that could be used in wirelessly powered wearable devices.     

Capacitive Enhancement Mechanisms and Design Principles of High‐Performance Graphene Oxide‐Based All‐Solid‐State Supercapacitors

Graphene oxide (GO)‐based all‐solid‐state supercapacitors (GO‐A3Ss) are superior over liquid electrolyte‐based supercapacitors and capable of being integrated on a single chip in various geometry shapes for the use of future smart wearable electronics field as a fast energy storage device, but their capacitance need to be improved. Here, a new approach has been developed for enhancing the capacitive capability of the supercapacitors through molecular dynamics simulations with the first‐principle input. A theoretical model of charge storage is developed to understand the unique capacitive enhancement mechanism and to predict the capacitance of the GO‐A3Ss, which agrees well with the experimental observations. A novel supercapacitor with GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) alternatively layered structures is designed based on the model, and its energy density is the highest among conventional supercapacitors using liquid electrolytes and all‐solid‐state supercapacitors using aerogels or hydrogels as the solid‐state electrolyte. Based on the predictions, two new types of high‐performance GO/rGO multilayered capacitors are proposed to meet different practical applications. The results of this work provide an approach for the design of high‐performance all‐solid‐state supercapacitors based on GO and rGO materials.     

Multilayer‐Folded Graphene Ribbon Film with Ultrahigh Areal Capacitance and High Rate Performance for Compressible Supercapacitors

Limited by 2D geometric morphology and low bulk packing density, developing graphene‐based flexible/compressible supercapacitors with high specific capacitances (gravimetric/volumetric/areal), especially at high rates, is an outstanding challenge. Here, a strategy for the synthesis of free‐standing graphene ribbon films (GRFs) for high‐performance flexible and compressible supercapacitors through blade‐coating of interconnected graphene oxide ribbons and a subsequent thermal treatment process is reported. With an ultrahigh mass loading of 21 mg cm^?2, large ion‐accessible surface area, efficient electron and ion transport pathways as well as high packing density, the compressed multilayer‐folded GRF films (F‐GRF) exhibit ultrahigh areal capacitance of 6.7 F cm^?2 at 5 mA cm^?2, high gravimetric/volumetric capacitances (318 F g^?1, 293 F cm^?3), and high rate performance (3.9 F cm^?2 at 105 mA cm^?2), as well as excellent cycling stability (109% of capacitance retention after 40 000 cycles). Furthermore, the assembled F‐GRF symmetric supercapacitor with compressible and flexible characteristics, can deliver an ultrahigh areal energy density of 0.52 mWh cm^?2 in aqueous electrolyte, almost two times higher than the values obtained from symmetric supercapacitors with comparable dimensions.     

Non‐Invasive High‐Throughput Metrology of Functionalized Graphene Sheets

The utilization of fluorescence quenching microscopy (FQM) for quick visualization of chemical functionalization in relatively large regions of graphene, grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is discussed. Through reactive ion plasma etching, patterns of p‐type CVD‐grown graphene functionalized with fluorine are generated. 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2‐methyl‐6‐(4‐dimethylaminostyryl)‐4H‐pyran (DCM) is used as the fluorescent agent. The emission of DCM is quenched to a different extent by fluorinated and pristine graphene, which provides the fluorescence‐imaging contrast essential for this metrology. To probe the functionalized surface patterns with DCM, the dye is dispersed in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) then the graphene surface is coated, forming a 30‐nm‐thick DCM‐PMMA layer. Fluorescence images of dye‐coated graphene distinctly reveal the difference between the chemically treated and as‐grown regions. The pristine graphene quenches the DCM emission more efficiently than the fluorinated graphene. Therefore, the regions with pristine graphene appear darker on the fluorescence images than the regions with fluorinated graphene, enabling large‐scale mapping of the functionalized regions in CVD grown graphene sheets Due to its simplicity and consistent results, FQM is now poised for widespread adoption by graphene manufacturers as a basis for facile and high throughput metrology of large‐scale graphene sheets.     

An Interface‐Induced Co‐Assembly Approach Towards Ordered Mesoporous Carbon/Graphene Aerogel for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Hierarchically porous composites with mesoporous carbon wrapping around the macroporous graphene aerogel can combine the advantages of both components and are expected to show excellent performance in electrochemical energy devices. However, the fabrication of such composites is challenging due to the lack of an effective strategy to control the porosity of the mesostructured carbon layers. Here an interface‐induced co‐assembly approach towards hierarchically mesoporous carbon/graphene aerogel composites, possessing interconnected macroporous graphene networks covered by highly ordered mesoporous carbon with a diameter of ≈9.6 nm, is reported. And the orientation of the mesopores (vertical or horizontal to the surface of the composites) can be tuned by the ratio of the components. As the electrodes in supercapacitors, the resulting composites demonstrate outstanding electrochemical performances. More importantly, the synthesis strategy provides an ideal platform for hierarchically porous graphene composites with potential for energy storage and conversion applications.     

Anchoring Hydrous RuO2 on Graphene Sheets for High‐Performance Electrochemical Capacitors

Hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO₂)/graphene sheet composites (ROGSCs) with different loadings of Ru are prepared by combining sol–gel and low‐temperature annealing processes. The graphene sheets (GSs) are well‐separated by fine RuO₂ particles (5–20 nm) and, simultaneously, the RuO₂ particles are anchored by the richly oxygen‐containing functional groups of reduced, chemically exfoliated GSs onto their surface. Benefits from the combined advantages of GSs and RuO₂ in such a unique structure are that the ROGSC‐based supercapacitors exhibit high specific capacitance (～570 F g^?1 for 38.3 wt% Ru loading), enhanced rate capability, excellent electrochemical stability (～97.9% retention after 1000 cycles), and high energy density (20.1 Wh kg^?1) at low operation rate (100 mA g^?1) or high power density (10000 W kg^?1) at a reasonable energy density (4.3 Wh kg^?1). Interestingly, the total specific capacitance of ROGSCs is higher than the sum of specific capacitances of pure GSs and pure RuO₂ in their relative ratios, which is indicative of a positive synergistic effect of GSs and RuO₂ on the improvement of electrochemical performance. These findings demonstrate the importance and great potential of graphene‐based composites in the development of high‐performance energy‐storage systems.     

High Electroactive Material Loading on a Carbon Nanotube@3D Graphene Aerogel for High‐Performance Flexible All‐Solid‐State Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Freestanding carbon‐based hybrids, specifically carbon nanotube@3D graphene (CNTs@3DG) hybrid, are of great interest in electrochemical energy storage. However, the large holes (about 400 µm) in the commonly used 3D graphene foams (3DGF) constitute as high as 90% of the electrode volume, resulting in a very low loading of electroactive materials that is electrically connected to the carbon, which makes it difficult for flexible supercapacitors to achieve high gravimetric and volumetric energy density. Here, a hierarchically porous carbon hybrid is fabricated by growing 1D CNTs on 3D graphene aerogel (CNTs@3DGA) using a facile one‐step chemical vapor deposition process. In this architecture, the 3DGA with ample interconnected micrometer‐sized pores (about 5 µm) dramatically enhances mass loading of electroactive materials comparing with 3DGF. An optimized all‐solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor (AASC) based on MnO₂@CNTs@3DGA and Ppy@CNTs@3DGA electrodes exhibits high volumetric energy density of 3.85 mW h cm^?3 and superior long‐term cycle stability with 84.6% retention after 20 000 cycles, which are among the best reported for AASCs with both electrodes made of pseudocapacitive electroactive materials.     

Fabrication of Highly Flexible,Scalable, and High‐Performance Supercapacitors Using Polyaniline/Reduced Graphene Oxide Film with Enhanced Electrical Conductivity and Crystallinity

With developments in technology, tremendous effort has been devoted to produce flexible, scalable, and high‐performance supercapacitor electrode materials. This report presents a novel fabrication method of highly flexible and scalable electrode material for high‐performance supercapacitors using solution‐processed polyaniline (PANI)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid film. SEM, TEM, Raman, and XPS analyses show that the PANI/RGO film is successfully synthesized. The percentages of the PANI component in the film are controlled (88, 76, and 60%), and the maximum electrical conductivity (906 S cm^?1) is observed at the PANI percentage of 76%. Notably, electrical conductivity of the PANI/RGO film (906 S cm^?1) is larger than both PANI (580 S cm^?1) and RGO (46.5 S cm^?1) components. XRD analysis demonstrates that the strong π–π interaction between the RGO and the PANI cause more compact packing of the PANI chains by inducing more fully expanded conformation of the PANI chains in the solution, leading to increase in the electrical conductivity and crystallinity of the film. The PANI/RGO film also displays diverse advantages as a scalable and flexible electrode material (e.g., controllable size and great flexibility). During the electrochemical tests, the film exhibits high capacitance of 431 F g^?1 with enhanced cycling stability.     

Covalently Bonded Graphene–Carbon Nanotube Hybrid for High‐Performance Thermal Interfaces

The remarkable thermal properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been the subject of intensive investigations for the thermal management of integrated circuits. However, the small contact area of CNTs and the large anisotropic heat conduction of graphene have hindered their applications as effective thermal interface materials (TIMs). Here, a covalently bonded graphene–CNT (G‐CNT) hybrid is presented that multiplies the axial heat transfer capability of individual CNTs through their parallel arrangement, while at the same time it provides a large contact area for efficient heat extraction. Through computer simulations, it is demonstrated that the G‐CNT outperforms few‐layer graphene by more than 2 orders of magnitude for the c‐axis heat transfer, while its thermal resistance is 3 orders of magnitude lower than the state‐of‐the‐art TIMs. We show that heat can be removed from the G‐CNT by immersing it in a liquid. The heat transfer characteristics of G‐CNT suggest that it has the potential to revolutionize the design of high‐performance TIMs.     

Hierarchical Ni–Co Hydroxide Petals on Mechanically Robust Graphene Petal Foam for High‐Energy Asymmetric Supercapacitors

A hierarchical structure consisting of Ni–Co hydroxide nanopetals (NCHPs) grown on a thin free‐standing graphene petal foam (GPF) has been designed and fabricated by a two‐step process for pseudocapacitive electrode applications. The mechanical behavior of GPFs has been, for the first time to our knowledge, quantitatively measured from in situ scanning electron microscope characterization of the petal foams during in‐plane compression and bending processes. The Young's modulus of a typical GPF is 3.42 GPa, indicating its outstanding mechanical robustness as a nanotemplate. The GPF/NCHP electrodes exhibit volumetric capacitances as high as 765 F cm^?3, equivalent to an areal capacitance of 15.3 F cm^?2 and high rate capability. To assess practical functionality, two‐terminal asymmetric solid‐state supercapacitors with 3D GPF/NCHPs as positive electrodes are fabricated and shown to exhibit outstanding energy and power densities, with maximum average energy density of ≈10 mWh cm^?3 and maximum power density of ≈3 W cm^?3, high rate capability (a capacitance retention of ≈60% at 100 mA cm^?2), and excellent long‐term cyclic stability (full capacitance retention over 15 000 cycles).     

Micro‐Supercapacitors Based on Interdigital Electrodes of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotube Composites with Ultrahigh Power Handling Performance

A novel method for fabricating micro‐patterned interdigitated electrodes based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanotube (CNT) composites for ultra‐high power handling micro‐supercapacitor application is reported. The binder‐free microelectrodes were developed by combining electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and photolithography lift‐off methods. Without typically used thermal or chemical reduction, GO sheets are readily reduced to rGO during the ESD deposition. Electrochemical measurements show that the in‐plane interdigital design of the microelectrodes is effective in increasing accessibility of electrolyte ions in‐between stacked rGO sheets through an electro‐activation process. Addition of CNTs results in reduced restacking of rGO sheets and improved energy and power density. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements show that the specific capacitance of the micro‐supercapacitor based on rGO–CNT composites is 6.1 mF cm^?2 at 0.01 V s^?1. At a very high scan rate of 50 V s^?1, a specific capacitance of 2.8 mF cm^?2 (stack capacitance of 3.1 F cm^?3) is recorded, which is an unprecedented performance for supercapacitors. The addition of CNT, electrolyte‐accessible and binder‐free microelectrodes, as well as an interdigitated in‐plane design result in a high‐frequency response of the micro‐supercapacitors with resistive‐capacitive time constants as low as 4.8 ms. These characteristics suggest that interdigitated rGO–CNT composite electrodes are promising for on‐chip energy storage application with high power demands.     

Covalently Tethered Polyoxometalate–Pyrene Hybrids for Noncovalent Sidewall Functionalization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as High‐Performance Anode Material

A covalently tethered polyoxometalate (POM)–pyrene hybrid (Py–SiW₁₁) is utilized for the noncovalent functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The resulting SWNTs/Py–SiW₁₁ nanocomposite shows that both SiW₁₁ and pyrene moieties could interact with SWNTs without causing any chemical decomposition. When used as anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, the SWNTs/Py–SiW₁₁ nanocomposite exhibits higher discharge capacities, and better rate capacity and cycling stability than the individual components. When the current density is 0.5 mA cm^?2, the nanocomposite exhibits the initial discharge capacity of 1569.8 mAh g^?1, and a high discharge capacity of 580 mAh g^?1 for up to 100 cycles.     

Polyoxometalate‐coupled Graphene via Polymeric Ionic Liquid Linker for Supercapacitors

The integration of electrical double‐layer capacitive and pseudocapacitive materials into novel hybrid materials is crucial to realize supercapacitors with high energy and power densities. Here, high levels of energy and power densities are demonstrated in supercapacitors based on a new type of nanohybrid electrode consisting of polyoxometalate (POM)‐coupled graphene in which a polymeric ionic liquid (henceforth simply PIL) serves as an interfacial linker. The adoption of PIL in the construction of nanohybrids enables a uniform distribution of discrete POM molecules along with a large surface area of graphene sheets. When testing electrochemical characteristics under a two‐electrode system, as‐prepared supercapacitors exhibit a high specific capacitance (408 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1), rapid rate capability (92% retention at 10 A g^?1), a long cycling life (98% retention during 2000 cycles), and high energy (56 Wh kg^?1) and power (52 kW kg^?1) densities. First‐principles calculations and impedance spectroscopy analysis reveal that the PILs enhance the redox reactions of POMs by providing efficient ion transfer channels and facilitating the charge transfer in the nanohybrids.     

VOx@MoO3 Nanorod Composite for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Vanadium oxide is a promising pseudocapacitive electrode, but their capacitance, especially at high current densities, requires improvement for practical applications. Herein, a VO_x@MoO₃ composite electrode is constructed through a facile electrochemical method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrate a modification on the chemical environment and electronic structure of VO_x upon the effective interaction with the thin layer of MoO₃. A careful investigation of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data reveals much enhanced power capability of the composite electrode. More charge storage sites will also be created at/near the heterogeneous interface. Due to those synergistic effects, the VO_x@MoO₃ electrode shows excellent electrochemical performance. It provides a high capacitance of 1980 mF cm⁻² at 2 mA cm⁻². Even at the high current density of 100 mA cm⁻², it still achieves 1166 mF cm⁻² capacitance, which doubles the sum of single electrodes. The MoO₃ layer also helps to prevent VO_x structure deformation, and 94% capacitance retention over 10 000 cycles is obtained for the composite electrode. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to induce interactions between heterogeneous components and enhance the electrochemical performance, which can also be applied to other pseudocapacitive electrode candidates.