PAN-based nanofiber reduced graphene oxide electrodes for supercapacitor applications

Supercapacitors, which are among the energy storage systems, have a high power density, a fast charge–discharge time, a long cycle life, and a low energy capacity. In this study, it is aimed to produce electrically conducting carbon nanofiber/reduced graphene oxide (CNF/rGO) composites as electrodes in supercapacitors. Polyacrylonitrile nanofibers containing different weight ratios of graphene oxide (0–10–20 and 40 wt% of rGO) were used as precursors for the production of supercapacitor electrodes. The electrospinning method and following carbonization process were applied to the precursors to produce CNF/rGO composites. The electrochemical properties of the produced CNF/rGO composites were investigated as electrodes. The supercapacitor electrode prepared with carbon nanofiber containing 10-wt% rGO shows high specific capacitance (305 F/g) and high energy density (47.6 Wh/kg). This study especially brings a new insight into the fabrication of high-performance hybrid electrodes for energy storage devices.