Sonochemical synthesis and electrochemical performance of reduced graphene oxide/cerium dioxide nanocomposites

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide/cerium dioxide (is synthesized by a simple sonochemical route. The morphology and chemical structure of the nanocomposites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy, insitu infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical properties of a fabricat reduced graphene oxide/cerium dioxide2 nanocomposite electrode examined by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the reduced graphene oxide can prevent the aggregation of cerium dioxide nanoparticles; meanwhile, the reduced graphene oxide/cerium dioxide-3 nanocomposite electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 185 F·g−1 at 0.5 A·g−1, a high rate capability, and good reversibility, which results from the synergism and coupling between reduced graphene oxide nanosheets and cerium dioxide nanoparticles.