Preparation and Characterization of Reduced Graphene Oxide Doped in Sol-Gel Derived Silica for Application in Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors

In this study, a new graphene ceramic composite (GCC) was prepared based on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doped in sol-gel derived silica. The GCC was prepared by dispersing rGO nanosheets into the sol-gel precursors containing methyl triethoxysilane, methanol and hydrochloric acid solution. During an acid catalyzed hydrolyze reaction and gelation process, rGO nanosheets were successfully doped into the prepared gel. The fabricated GCC was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. According to the electrochemical results, the prepared GCC has shown remarkable specific capacitance in comparison with carbon ceramic composite. Due to unique configuration of GCC and large specific surface area of rGO, the resultant GCC shows specific capacitance of 428 F g -1 at current density of 1 A g -1 and good cycling stability using three electrode system.