High electrochemical capacity of novel ternary graphene oxide based PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite as supercapacitor electrode material

This study introduces a novel GO/PANI/Co₃O₄ ternary nanocomposite synthesized through a cost-effective co-precipitation method for supercapacitor applications. Comprehensive characterizations using XRD reveal the amorphous diffraction patterns of PANI, the hexagonal symmetry of GO, and the presence of Co₃O₄ with high crystallinity. The nanocomposite exhibits a unique lattice parameter, indicating its distinctive structural features. SEM and TEM analyses depict the amorphous nature of PANI, irregularly shaped Co₃O₄ particles, and the successful incorporation of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles into the PANI matrix in the PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite. Moreover, the GO/PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite displays layers of GO arranged alongside polyaniline and Co₃O₄ nanocrystals, with Co₃O₄ nanoparticles anchored on the surface. EDX analysis confirms the elemental arrangement and purity of the nanocomposite, validating the presence of graphene oxide, polyaniline, and cobalt oxide. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals a bandgap value of 1.79 eV for the GO/PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite, indicating its enhanced light absorption capability compared to GO. Electrochemical studies, including EIS, CV, and GCD analyses, provide insights into the nanocomposite's performance. EIS demonstrates minimal charge transfer resistance in the GO/PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite. CV analysis highlights its capacitive behavior, with specific capacitance reaching 4800 Fg⁻¹ at a current density of 1 Ag⁻¹ in 1 M KOH. GCD analysis further reveals a non-linear behavior, with a power density ranging from 359.19 to 653.76 Wkg⁻¹ and an energy density ranging from 47.24 to 20.82 WhKg⁻¹. The nanocomposite exhibits excellent cycle stability, retaining 84 % of its initial capacitance after 2100 cycles. Comparative analysis with other reported works underlines the superior electrochemical performance of the GO/PANI/Co₃O₄ nanocomposite.