Graphene–hollow PPy sphere 3D-nanoarchitecture with enhanced electrochemical performance

A rationally designed graphene-hollow polypyrrole (PPy) nanoarchitecture in which hollow PPy spheres were inserted between graphene layers was constructed by mixing graphene oxide and polystyrene (PS)@PPy core-shell sphere, followed by reduction of graphene oxide and etching of PS. The as-prepared graphene-hollow PPy nanoarchitecture was explored as electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The specific capacitance may gradually rise to as high as 500 F g(-1) with a charging/discharging current density of 5 A g(-1), and remains stable even after 10,000 cycles. Analysis indicates that the tailored nanoarchitecture enhances specific area of the electrode and promotes synergetic effect between RGO and PPy, thus leading to a significantly enhanced electrochemical performance.