Effect of agro-waste-derived graphene/titanium powders on polyester resin for supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract

Polyesters are renowned for their chemical resistance and thermal/mechanical properties but lack electrical conductivity. This study reinforces polyester with titanium and varying graphene (derived from rice husk ash [RHA]) percentages, testing resultant nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrodes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirm successful graphene synthesis from RHA, polymer crystallinity change and GN/Ti particle dispersion. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) assess nanocomposites, revealing enhanced properties with graphene. Suitability for supercapacitor electrodes increases proportionally with higher graphene percentages in CV tests. At a 20-mV/s scan rate, the specific capacitance for P–25 wt-%G sees an impressive 614% increase, underscoring significant enhancement in polyester matrix properties.