Sugar-derived carbon/graphene composite materials as electrodes for supercapacitors

Sugar-derived carbon/graphene composite materials have been prepared by mixing glucose and graphene oxide with the assistance of ultrasonication and calcination. Microstructure measurements show that sugar-derived carbon nanoparticles are anchored to the graphene planes and used as spacers to inhibit the restacking of graphene Sheets during calcination. The composite is a three-dimensional material with a layered and porous structure. Benefiting from such a unique structure, the sugar-derived carbon/graphene composite materials as electrodes for supercapacitors exhibit a high specific capacitance (273 F.g(-1) at a current density of 0.5 A.g(-1)) as well as excellent electrochemical stability. Therefore, this remarkable performance suggests its promising application as an efficient electrode material for electrochemical capacitors. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.