Performance analysis of supercapacitor with graphene oxide-doped carbon electrodes

Abstract

Even though supercapacitor possesses superior power density, its main limitation is the relatively poor energy density as compared to other energy storage devices such as battery and fuel cell. One way to enhance the energy density is by increasing its capacitance, which is inevitably depend on its activated carbon electrode properties, precisely the surface area. The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of graphene-doped electrodes in supercapacitor. A commercially available activated carbon powder was used to fabricate the activated carbon sheet. Two supercapacitors were fabricated by sandwiching a cellulose paper as the separator, which pre-immersed in an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid with a pair of untreated graphene-doped activated carbon sheets. The effect of different electrode materials configuration on the performance of the fabricated supercapacitors was analysed. The advantages and disadvantages of graphene oxide-doped on the carbon electrode are further discussed. The supercapacitors’ behaviours and performances were inspected using an electrochemical measuring system, GAMRY Interface 1000. Electrochemical results for AC electrode and GO/AC electrode were compared. It is found that the implementation of graphene oxide-doped carbon as the electrode’s material increases the energy storing capability of the fabricated supercapacitor.