Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are promising materials for sustainable energy storage due to their excellent conductivity, large surface area, and chemical stability. However, conventional methods of reducing GO often involve toxic chemicals, raising environmental conc...

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Main Authors: Rachel Angeline Lenin, S. Nagarani, Mohanraj Kumar, S. Rameshkumar, Ching-Lung Chen, Farhat S. Khan, Mohd. Shkir, Sambasivam Sangaraju, Jih-Hsing Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11896-w
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author Rachel Angeline Lenin
S. Nagarani
Mohanraj Kumar
S. Rameshkumar
Ching-Lung Chen
Farhat S. Khan
Mohd. Shkir
Sambasivam Sangaraju
Jih-Hsing Chang
author_facet Rachel Angeline Lenin
S. Nagarani
Mohanraj Kumar
S. Rameshkumar
Ching-Lung Chen
Farhat S. Khan
Mohd. Shkir
Sambasivam Sangaraju
Jih-Hsing Chang
author_sort Rachel Angeline Lenin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are promising materials for sustainable energy storage due to their excellent conductivity, large surface area, and chemical stability. However, conventional methods of reducing GO often involve toxic chemicals, raising environmental concerns. This study introduces a green solvothermal method to synthesize rGO using L-ascorbic acid and ammonia solution as reducing agents, producing a material referred to as G-rGO for supercapacitor applications. Theoretical calculations suggest that the reduction process significantly enhances the electronic properties and structural integrity of the material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the reduction of GO to G-rGO. Electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), demonstrated that G-rGO performed exceptionally well. It exhibited a high specific capacitance of 401 F/g at 1 A/g and impressive cycle stability of 93% after 10,000 cycles. Theoretical results indicate that these characteristics are attributed to enhanced charge transport and a favorable surface area-to-volume ratio. Additionally, G-rGO achieved an energy density of 200.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 2.5 W/kg, underscoring its potential as an eco-friendly, high-performance electrode material for sustainable energy storage.
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spelling doaj-art-e88a7ffb56a141eabf0fed039c6229e82025-08-20T04:02:45ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-11896-wEcofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitorsRachel Angeline Lenin0S. Nagarani1Mohanraj Kumar2S. Rameshkumar3Ching-Lung Chen4Farhat S. Khan5Mohd. Shkir6Sambasivam Sangaraju7Jih-Hsing Chang8Department of Applied Chemistry, Chaoyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Vel Tech Multi Tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering CollegeDepartment of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of TechnologyCollege of Arts and Sciences, King Khalid UniversityDepartment of Physics, College of Science, King Khalid UniversityNational Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates UniversityDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of TechnologyAbstract Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are promising materials for sustainable energy storage due to their excellent conductivity, large surface area, and chemical stability. However, conventional methods of reducing GO often involve toxic chemicals, raising environmental concerns. This study introduces a green solvothermal method to synthesize rGO using L-ascorbic acid and ammonia solution as reducing agents, producing a material referred to as G-rGO for supercapacitor applications. Theoretical calculations suggest that the reduction process significantly enhances the electronic properties and structural integrity of the material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the reduction of GO to G-rGO. Electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), demonstrated that G-rGO performed exceptionally well. It exhibited a high specific capacitance of 401 F/g at 1 A/g and impressive cycle stability of 93% after 10,000 cycles. Theoretical results indicate that these characteristics are attributed to enhanced charge transport and a favorable surface area-to-volume ratio. Additionally, G-rGO achieved an energy density of 200.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 2.5 W/kg, underscoring its potential as an eco-friendly, high-performance electrode material for sustainable energy storage.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11896-wGraphene oxiderGODFTL-ascorbic acidGreenCycle stability
spellingShingle Rachel Angeline Lenin
S. Nagarani
Mohanraj Kumar
S. Rameshkumar
Ching-Lung Chen
Farhat S. Khan
Mohd. Shkir
Sambasivam Sangaraju
Jih-Hsing Chang
Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
Scientific Reports
Graphene oxide
rGO
DFT
L-ascorbic acid
Green
Cycle stability
title Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
title_full Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
title_fullStr Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
title_full_unstemmed Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
title_short Ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rGO electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
title_sort ecofriendly fabrication and theoretical insights of ascorbic acid assisted rgo electrodes for high performance solid state supercapacitors
topic Graphene oxide
rGO
DFT
L-ascorbic acid
Green
Cycle stability
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11896-w
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