Developing electrochemically proficient composite of Laser-Induced graphene and NiCo2O4 for supercapacitor applications

The fundamental objective of this research endeavour is to synthesize and analyse the electrochemical performance of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) based composite electrode for advanced use in electrochemical applications. In recent researches graphene-based electrodes have gained significant attention for their usage in energy storage systems. Herein we report the fabrication of novel composite electrode combining both charge storage mechanisms by utilizing LIG (Electron Double Layer Capacitive (EDLC) material) combined with Nickel Cobalt Oxide (NCO) (a redox-active pseudo-capacitive material) via Electro-Phoretic Deposition (EPD). Together, it will allow to overcome their respective shortcomings and results in development of electrode, flexible in nature owing to LIG flexibility and NCO incorporation is expected to enhance the electrochemical performance as compared to LIG alone. Further, we have investigated the effect of charging agents i.e. Iodine (I 2 ) and water on the deposition through EPD. Microwave-Assisted (MWA) synthesized NCO, and resultant electrode (LIG/NCO) were characterized using imperative characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, FTIR and electrochemical measurements. Owing to the optimal modification of LIG/NCO composite, the electrode having high surface area-based porous nature of it showcased a remarkable specific capacitance (C p ) of 429 F/g and 277 F/g with and without charging additives, respectively at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. The electrodes demonstrated improved areal capacitance (C areal ) compared to bare LIG (5.04 mF/cm 2 ), showing values of 36 mF/cm² in the presence of I₂ and 22.5 mF/cm² without it, measured at a current density of 1.8 mA/cm². Lastly, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the electrodes were also less than bare LIG meaning that the modified LIG/NCO electrodes exhibited its effectuality for being used in electrochemical energy storage applications.