An improved method for the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) is described. Currently, Hummers’ method (KMnO4, NaNO3, H2SO4) is the most common method used for preparing graphene oxide. We have found that excluding the NaNO3, increasing the amount of KMnO4, and performing the reaction in a 9:1 mixture of H2SO4/H3PO4 improves the efficiency of the oxidation process. This improved method provides a greater amount of hydrophilic oxidized graphene material as compared to Hummers’ method or Hummers’ method with additional KMnO4. Moreover, even though the GO produced by our method is more oxidized than that prepared by Hummers’ method, when both are reduced in the same chamber with hydrazine, chemically converted graphene (CCG) produced from this new method is equivalent in its electrical conductivity. In contrast to Hummers’ method, the new method does not generate toxic gas and the temperature is easily controlled. This improved synthesis of GO may be important for large-scale production of GO as well as the ...

https://www.researchgate.net/file.PostFileLoader.html?id=54ca19b4cf57d79a768b4618&assetKey=AS%3A273691751976961%401442264606356

Improved Synthesis of Graphene Oxide

Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects. Some of these applications are now realized in products. Others are demonstrated in early to advanced devices, and one, hydrogen storage, is clouded by controversy. Nanotube cost, polydispersity in nanotube type, and limitations in processing and assembly methods are important barriers for some applications of single-walled nanotubes.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/297/5582/787.full.pdf

Carbon Nanotubes--the Route Toward Applications

In this critical review, metal oxides-based materials for electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) electrodes are reviewed in detail together with a brief review of carbon materials and conducting polymers. Their advantages, disadvantages, and performance in ES electrodes are discussed through extensive analysis of the literature, and new trends in material development are also reviewed. Two important future research directions are indicated and summarized, based on results published in the literature: the development of composite and nanostructured ES materials to overcome the major challenge posed by the low energy density of ES (476 references).

/pdf/a-review-of-electrode-materials-for-electrochemical-2cok5em0bo.pdf

A review of electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors

/pdf/honeycomb-carbon-a-review-of-graphene-bjl5wl6ai8.pdf

Honeycomb Carbon: A Review of Graphene

The reduction of graphene oxide

Graphite oxide (GO) samples were prepared by a simplified Brodie method. Hydroxyl, epoxide, carboxyl, and some alkyl functional groups are present in the GO, as identified by solid-state 13C NMR, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Starting with pyrolytic graphite (interlayer separation 3.36 A), the average interlayer distance after 1 h of reaction, as determined by X-ray diffraction, increased to 5.62 A and then increased with further oxidation to 7.37 A after 24 h. A smaller signal in 13C CPMAS NMR compared to that in 13C NMR suggests that carboxyl and alkyl groups are at the edges of the flakes of graphite oxide. Other aspects of the chemical bonding were assessed from the NMR and XPS data and are discussed. AB stacking of the layers in the GO was inferred from an electron diffraction study. The elemental composition of GO prepared using this simplified Brodie method is further discussed.

http://utw10193.utweb.utexas.edu/Archive/RuoffsPDFs/171.pdf

Evidence of Graphitic AB Stacking Order of Graphite Oxides

We have investigated the key factors determining the performance of supercapacitors constructed using single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) electrodes. Several parameters, such as composition of the binder, annealing temperature, type of current collector, charging time, and discharging current density have been optimized for the best performance of the supercapacitor with respect to energy density and power density. We find a maximum specific capacitance of 180 F/g and a measured power density of 20 kW/kg at energy densities in the range from 7 to 6.5 Wh/kg at 0.9 V in a solution of 7.5 N KOH (the currently available supercapacitors have energy densities in the range 6‐7 Wh/kg and power density in the range 0.2‐5 kW/kg at 2.3 V in non-aqueous solvents).

Electrochemical Properties of High-Power Supercapacitors Using Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

Enhanced Sensitivity of a Gas Sensor Incorporating Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube–Polypyrrole Nanocomposites

A nanocomposite electrode of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and polypyrrole (Ppy) is fabricated to improve the specific capacitance of the supercapacitor. The individual nanotubes and nanoparticles are uniformly coated with Ppy by in situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole. To characterize the SWNT-Ppy nanocomposite electrodes, a charge-discharge cycling test for measuring specific capacitance, cyclic voltammetry, and an ac impedance test are executed. The SWNT-Ppy nanocomposite electrode shows much higher specific capacitance than pure Ppy and as-grown SWNT electrodes, due to the uniformly coated Ppy on the SWNTs. The effects of the conducting agent added in the nanocomposite electrodes on specific capacitance and internal resistance of supercapacitors are also investigated. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Kay Hyeok An

Papers

Evidence of Graphitic AB Stacking Order of Graphite Oxides

Electrochemical Properties of High-Power Supercapacitors Using Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

Enhanced Sensitivity of a Gas Sensor Incorporating Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube–Polypyrrole Nanocomposites

High-Capacitance Supercapacitor Using a Nanocomposite Electrode of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube and Polypyrrole

Nickel oxide/carbon nanotubes nanocomposite for electrochemical capacitance