An investigation of copper oxide-loaded reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for energy storage applications

This study presents the fabrication process and investigation of copper oxide-loaded reduced graphene oxide (rGO/CuO) nanocomposite for energy storage applications. In the study, the surface morphology, elemental mapping, structural analysis, chemical features, thermal stability and electrical conductivity of rGO/CuO nanocomposite were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and electrical conductivity measuring device (ECMD). The sonicated reduced graphene oxide was dispersed in copper acetate in the presence of ascorbic acid. The fabricated rGO/CuO nanocomposite showed a total weight loss of about 34.83% at 416.96 °C. More so, the formation of copper oxide is evident on the nanocomposite at the diffraction peaks of 2 θ = 36.75° and 61.41°. The homogenous mixture of the nanocomposite showed an average roughness of 8.62 nm and an electrical conductivity of 204.10 S/m.