Soyabean Husk-Assisted Green Synthesis of rGO/CuO Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Applications

Abstract

The rising global demand for green energy storage systems has led to the development of studies aimed at finding environmentally friendly electrode materials to use in supercapacitors. The conventional approach to producing graphene-based nanocomposites usually requires the use of toxic chemicals, a high amount of energy as well as non-renewable materials and this is of concern to the environment and poses a question of scalability. Another variant that has come up as a feasible alternative in this direction and integrates material efficacy with sustainability is biomass-assisted green synthesis.

This paper provides a detailed analysis of green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/copper oxide (rGO/CuO) nanocomposites using soybean husks and their application as high-performance electrodes to supercapacitors. Our reducing and stabilizing agent, which was a natural by-product (soybean husk), was used to reduce graphene oxide and simultaneously produce CuO nanoparticles due to the sufficient amount of polyphenols and reducing sugars in soybean husk. The existence of the structural, morphological, and electrochemical characteristics of the successful formation of the composite demonstrated the presence of increased surface area, uniform distribution of the nanoparticle, and electrical conductivity.

Electrochemical determinations reflected high-quality specific capacitance, great rate performance and great cycling stability as compared to pristine rGO and CuO electrodes. The rGO-CuO interaction was synergetic and was able to stimulate effective transfer of charges and enhance the behavior of pseudocapacitance. The study has shown how agricultural waste could be used to produce high-performing functional materials and has set a sustainable process for producing next generation supercapacitor electrodes.