(201q) 3D Graphene/Platinum Nanowire Hybrid Composite Electrodes Via Electrostatic Self-Assembly for Supercapacitor Applications

3D Graphene/Platinum Nanowire Hybrid Composite Electrodes via Electrostatic Self-Assembly for Supercapacitor Applications

CDT Jenny Wang, MAJ Stephen Winter, Dr. Kamil Woronowicz, COL F. John Burpo, Dr. Enoch Nagelli^*

Department of Chemistry & Life Science

United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996

^*Corresponding Author: Dr. Enoch Nagelli, Email: enoch.nagelli@usma.edu

The superior inherent properties of graphene combined with the properties of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are promising for energy storage and conversion and optoelectronic applications.^1-2 The large active surface area per unit of mass of pristine graphene makes it an ultimate substrate for dispersing nanoparticles.¹ The incorporation of noble metals such as Pt, Au, Ag, Rh, and Pd onto graphene has led to the development of nanocomposites for catalytic, magnetic, and optoelectronic applications.¹ Generally, the nanoparticles are made starting with a metal salt precursor which are reduced in solution containing dispersed graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, or pristine graphene.¹ However, site-selective functionalization of graphene is important for the region-specific connection of graphene sheets into self-assembled systems with well-defined structures for practical applications.^3-4 The controlled functionalization of graphene sheets at the molecular level is still a big challenge. There is a pressing need to integrate graphene sheets into 3D systems with spatially well-defined configurations. One focus of researchers today has been fabrication of 3D nano-architectures comprising graphene sheets with inherent excellent intrinsic properties. There remains difficulty of integrating two-dimensional graphene sheets into macroscopic structures with precise connection of individual graphene sheets at the molecular level.^3-4Self-assembly has been recognized as an effective strategy for the bottom–up synthesis of 3D macrostructures using graphene sheets as building blocks. Here we report a novel, simplistic, and scalable methodology utilizing a solution based electrostatic self-assembly technique for the formation of novel 3D graphene/platinum nanowire composites. We demonstrate an easy and scalable method for controlled functionalization and assembly of 1D platinum nanowires onto 2D graphene sheets to result in a design process for the development of nanocomposite electrodes. This novel method of assembly can lead to research and development of next generation of high performance graphene nanocomposite materials and structures by providing a scientific rationale that will enable the development of new supercapacitors and batteries.

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