Effect Irradiation Duration on The Structure and Capacitive Properties of Graphene-like Structure Material (GSM)-Based Supercapacitor Electrode Synthesized by The Microwave-Assisted Solvothermal Method

Abstract Supercapacitors (SCs), batteries, and fuel cells are all energy storage devices rooted in electrochemistry. Among these options, SCs exhibit the lowest energy densities. One approach to enhance their energy density is by utilizing high surface area materials, like graphene, for the electrodes. Hence, this research aimed to investigate the impact of microwave irradiation time on the structure, morphology, and capacitive properties of graphene-like structure material (GSM) synthesized via the microwave-assisted solvothermal process. For this process, environmentally benign organic chemicals—tartaric acid and methanol—are employed as graphite exfoliating agents. Varying irradiation times of 15, 30, and 45 minutes were considered. The structural and morphological analysis of the synthesized materials was conducted using XRD, FTIR, and SEM instruments. Additionally, capacitive properties of the GSM-based SC electrodes were evaluated through CV measurement. The results from XRD, SEM, and FTIR analyses highlighted that longer microwave irradiation periods led to increased exfoliation of graphite layers into thinner layers and the disruption of oxygen functional group bonds. The CV measurements demonstrate that the synthesized GSM-based SC electrodes exhibited capacitive behaviour. Specifically, the measured capacitance values were 156.075 F/g, 148.662 F/g, and 99.586 F/g for irradiation durations of 45 minutes, 30 minutes, and 15 minutes, respectively. Although these capacitance values were considered intermediate, they remain suitable for specific applications.