Graphene is a newly discovered allotrope of carbon, consisting of single layer sheets of covalently bonded carbon atoms. These sheets have high conductivity, high surface area, and excellent mechanical properties. These properties are important to new developments in energy applications (Batteries, catalysts, capacitors, super capacitors, etc.). This research focuses on developing 3D graphene thin film electrodes by using metal and metal oxide nanoparticles grown using electro- or electroless deposition. Nanoparticles have two benefits, to separate the layers of graphene and to act as electrocatalysts to increase the conductivity and active surface area of the graphene. The 3D hybrid structure is created with layer-by-layer (LBL) polymer assisted transfer of single layer graphene gold nanoparticle electrodes. These ultrathin and transparent electrodes have been shown to have a much higher surface area and increased energy storage density than single layer graphene. From these results, graphene nanoparticle hybrid electrodes show promise for capacitors, supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, etc. due to increased conductivity and surface area. Further research could develop flexible electrodes to use in new and innovative devices.

3D graphene based thin film electrodes for energy storage applications

247th National Meeting (2014)

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