Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes (rGO/TNT) Composites as an Electrical Double Layer Capacitor

Abstract

Composites of synthesized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) were examined and combined at different mass proportions (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) to develop an electrochemical double layer capacitor (EDLC) nanocomposite. Three different combination methods of synthesis(1) TNT introduction during GO reduction, (2) rGO introduction during TNT formation, and (3) TNT introduction in rGO sheets using a microwave reactorwere used to produce nanocomposites. Among the three methods, method 3 yielded an EDLC nanomaterial with a highly rectangular cyclic voltammogram and steep electrochemical impedance spectroscopy plot. The specific capacitance for method 3 nanocomposites ranged from 47.26-165.22 F/g while that for methods 1 and 2 nanocomposites only ranged from 14.03-73.62 F/g and 41.93-84.36 F/g, respectively. Furthermore, in all combinations used, the 3:1 graphene/titanium dioxide-based samples consistently yielded the highest specific capacitance. The highest among these nanocomposites is 3:1 rGO/TNT. Characterization of this highly capacitive 3:1 rGO/TNT EDLC composite revealed the dominant presence of partially amorphous rGO as seen in its XRD and SEM with branching crystalline anatase TNTs as seen in its XRD and TEM. Such property showed great potential that is desirable for applications to capacitive deionization and energy storage.