Influence of the content on properties of microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide and Ni(OH)2 composites

Composites of Ni(OH)2 and microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide (MEGO) with component ratios of 20:80, 35:65, and 50:50 have been synthesized by treating a water mixture of MEGO with NiSO4 × 7H2O in a KOH solution. The structure and properties of the composites obtained have been studied using IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MEGO is known to possess high stability during the charge–discharge process and relatively low specific capacitance. On the contrary, Ni(OH)2 possesses a high specific capacitance and a low stability during the charge–discharge process. Our experimental results show that the addition of MEGO to Ni(OH)2 increases the stability of the composite electrode under a charge–discharge process. Some increase in the specific capacitance during the cycling have been observed for the composites with the 35:65 and 50:50 ratios. Moreover, the specific capacitance of the 35:65 composite matches the specific capacitance of pure Ni(OH)2 after 100 cycles.