Facile gamma-ray induced synthesis of reduced graphene oxide decorated with silver nanoparticles: a green approach for symmetric supercapacitor applications

Abstract

This study presents a green, novel, one-pot, and single-step method for synthesizing reduced graphene oxide/silver nanocomposites (RGO/Ags) with different Ag ratios using Roselle extract and 80kGy of γ-ray for symmetric supercapacitor applications. As a natural antioxidant, Roselle extract served as a scavenger of oxidative free radicals to inhibit the oxidation of graphene oxide/silver nitrate suspensions (GO/AgO₃), which were undergoing radiolysis under γ irradiation. An additional sample of GO/AgO₃ was irradiated with the same dose in the absence of Roselle for comparability. The efficient reduction of GO/AgO₃ has been assessed by several analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of Roselle hindered the formation of the AgO phase while concurrently promoting the construction of the Ag phase. Furthermore, using Roselle extract results in a more homogeneous dispersion of spherical silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets. Symmetric supercapacitor has been assembled from arbitrary samples amongst RGO/Ags, which showed good performance like low internal resistance and suitable specific capacitance (96 F/g at current density 0.2 A/g). The findings point to the merit of RGO/Ag nanocomposites prepared by the synergetic effect of γ-ray and Roselle extract as an efficient supercapacitor material.

Keywords:

• Silver
• Supercapacitor
• Roselle
• Radiation
• Graphene
• Nanocomposite

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 12274361), and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20211361), also, the authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University, Arar, KSA for funding this research work through the project number “NBU-FFR-2023-0166.