Neodymium doped graphene quantum dots/PANI composite for supercapacitor application

Abstract

The publication presents a streamlined and economical technique for fabricating advanced electrode materials to enhance the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors (SCs). The focus is on synthesizing neodymium-doped graphene quantum dots (Nd-GQDs) via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) process. This method uses microwave irradiation's rapid heating and efficient energy transfer under low pressure and minimal reaction time. The resulting Nd-GQDs exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties, including increased capacitance and improved charge storage, making this approach practical and effective for advancing supercapacitor technology. An exceptional specific capacitance of 618 F g−1 at a 5 mV s−1 scan rate is demonstrated using Nd-GQDs as the SC electrode material. Due to their high specific capacitance, Nd-GQDs, when combined with polyaniline (PANI), improve the energy and power density of SCs. Nd-GQDs/PANI composites with varying amounts of Nd-GQDs in symmetric SCs are fabricated to demonstrate their promising properties for SC applications. SCs fabricated with 20 mL of Nd-GQDs in the PANI matrix showed a superior specific capacitance of 354 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, while the energy density and power density were 49.15 Wh kg−1 and 2000 W kg−1, respectively. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.