Synergistic PANI–ZnO–rGO hybrid architecture for ultrahigh energy and power density supercapacitors

This paper has constructed a ternary hybrid electrode based on polyaniline (PANI), zinc oxide (ZnO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and examined it in terms of its use as a high-performance supercapacitor. The charge-storage network of conductive rGO sheets, pseudocapacitive ZnO nanoparticles, and redox-active PANI chains is created through the synergistic interaction. The PANI/ZnO/rGO electrode provided a certain capacitance of 295 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 (GCD) and 310 F g −1 at 10 mV s −1 (CV). The electrode retained 68 % and 64 % capacitance at an increased scan rate and current density which implies an excellent rate capability. The strength density of the hybrid electrode was 27 Wh kg −1 at 250 W kg −1 and 15 Wh kg −1 at 5000 W kg −1 . Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to show that series resistance was low (0.8Ω) and charge transfer resistance low (2.1Ω). In addition, the electrode showed capacitance retention of 92% with 10,000 cycles with Coulombic efficiency of 98, which shows great cycling stability. Such findings prove that the PANI/ZnO/rGO composite electrode has the potential to be used in high-performance supercapacitors in the future.