Abstract
In this work, TiO2/graphene nanocomposite was synthesized by facile, surfactant free, in-situ microwave irradiation method, a quick but also are eco-friendly approach. The structure, morphology, composition and thermal stability of the composites were characterized by using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and TGA analyses. XRD result shows the tetragonal anatase phase of pure TiO2, TiO2 in the composite and their crystallite size were estimated to be 2.8 and 2nm respectively. The SEM and HR-TEM analyses demonstrate the spherical TiO2 nanoparticles intercalated on the graphene sheets. TGA results reveal higher thermal stability of the TiO2/graphene nanocomposite over graphene oxide and TiO2 nanoparticles. XPS studies confirm the binding states of the composite structure. The nanocomposites used as the supercapacitor electrode in three electrode system exhibited higher specific capacitance value of 585Fg−1 at a current density of 1Ag−1 in 1M H2SO4 as compared to graphene oxide (174Fg−1) and TiO2 electrode (66Fg−1). The enhanced capacitive performance is due to the intercalation of TiO2 nanoparticles on the graphene sheet. The in-situ microwave irradiation method brings a viable, low-cost and facile synthesis of different metal oxide/graphene based composites with promising properties for energy-storage applications in supercapacitors.
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•A facile route has been developed to prepare TiO2/Graphene by in-situ microwave method without any surfactant.•TiO2 nanoparticles were anchored on graphene sheet without agglomeration to achieve higher stability of the electode.•Excellent supercapacitive performance with high cyclic stability due to the synergistic effect of 3D TiO2 and 2D G sheet.•TiO2/Graphene nanocomposites are promising electrode materials for supercapacitor applications.