Synthesis of Binary Nanocomposite Conductive Polypyrrole and Reduced Graphene Oxide as Electrode Materials for High-Performance Supercapacitor

In this study, a polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide (PPy/rGO) composite material was synthesized through a chemical oxidative process, to tackle the persistent challenge of developing cost-effective and scalable electrode materials with high energy density and excellent charge storage capabilities for supercapacitor applications by integrating polypyrrole with rGO. The rGO was introduced into the polymerization process of polypyrrole. The composite underwent detailed investigation using different characterization techniques. Subsequently, analysis of the electrochemical properties included galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Nickel foam was used as the substrate material for the electrode. The PPy/rGO composite exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 365.1 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, as evidenced by CV, highlighting its excellent electrochemical properties. Moreover, the specific capacitance derived from GCD measurements surpassed expectations, reaching an impressive value of 375 F/g at a current density of 2 A/g. The corresponding energy density and power density for the specific capacitance of 375 F/g are 46.875 Wh/kg and 1140.20 W/kg, respectively. This further highlights the exceptional potential of this composite material for energy storage purposes. These findings highlight the PPy/rGO composite's remarkable electrochemical characteristics and demonstrate its effective synthesis and thorough characterization. The simplicity of the synthesis process coupled with the outstanding performance of the composite underscores its viability for various energy storage and conversion devices.