Green synthesized gold nanoparticle dispersed porous carbon composites for electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

Gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared successfully by Green synthesis method using the reducing agent extracted from Solanum nigrum leaf (SNL). Gold nanoparticles dispersed porous carbon (G5/c and G10/C) composites have been prepared by the pyrolysis of the colloidal gold. The presence of antioxidant compounds in SNL extract is responsible for reducing the gold nanoparticles. The synthesized nanocomposite contains small-sized spherical nanoparticles and porous carbon. Electrochemical energy storage performance of the porous carbon/gold nanoparticle composite is evaluated in symmetric two electrode configuration. An aqueous symmetric supercapacitor based on G10/C composite electrode exhibits a gravimetric specific capacitance of 80 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and retains a cycling stability of 93% even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Keywords: Green synthesis, Gold nanoparticles, Electrochemical energy storage, Specific capacitance, Cycling stability