A Simple Approach towards Highly Dense Graphene Films for High Volumetric Performance Supercapacitors

An interface self-assembly followed by hydrothermal reduction method are proposed to obtain a tannic acid (TA)-modified reduced graphene oxide composite film (|TA/RGO|). This unique method endows |TA/RGO| with several advantages: (1) TA is adopted as a redox-active spacer between adjacent interlayers for enlarging the ion-accessible area and contributing to pseudocapacitance; (2) due to the intensive pressure exerted by the sandwich-like device during the hydrothermal reduction process, appropriate expansion and a relatively flat layered structure are achieved which will facilitate the ion transport. As a result, the |TA/RGO| film shows an ultrahigh volumetric performance of 701 F cm(-3) with a high density of 1.91 g cm(-3) using a three-electrode system. When assembled into a symmetric supercapacitor, |TA/RGO| film delivers a high volumetric capacitance of 244.8 F cm(-3) and a high capacitance retention of 100 % after 5000 cycles at the current density of 2 A g(-1), showing a great potential for large-scale application.