Post Synthesis Functionalization of Graphene Oxide for the Production of Cobalt Nanocomposites in Energy Storage Applications

Graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives have emerged as promising materials for energy storage applications due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties. In this study, nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) and a cobalt-nanocomposite of graphene oxide (Co-N-GO) were synthesized via hydrothermal methods. The structural and compositional characteristics of the resulting materials were confirmed through various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed a decrease in the average crystallite size upon nitrogen doping, as determined using the Scherrer equation, indicative of enhanced material dispersion. FTIR spectra provided evidence of successful reduction of GO to rGO and confirmed the presence of C-N bonds, further supporting the doping process. UV-Vis spectroscopy indicated a red shift in absorption peaks towards the visible region, accompanied by a lowering of absorption bands, which suggests the formation of compensating energy states and shifts in conduction band edges due to doping. The bandgap energy, calculated using Tauc plots, showed a significant reduction in N-doped and Co-incorporated samples, highlighting the potential of these materials in enhancing the performance of energy storage devices.