Easy one-step hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/iron oxide hybrid as efficient supercapacitor material

Hybrid material consisting of α -Fe 2 O 3 and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO/Fe 2 O 3 ) for supercapacitor electrode material has been synthesized via an easy one-step hydrothermal method, where urea serves as nitrogen source, reducing agent and precipitant. As a result, the reduction and nitrogen doping of graphene oxide and the in situ formation of α -Fe 2 O 3 are achieved simultaneously. The results show that the synthesized N-rGO/Fe 2 O 3 composite exhibits much better electrochemical performance than the sample without nitrogen doping. Moreover, thanks to the positive synergetic effect between N-rGO and α -Fe 2 O 3 , the N-rGO/Fe 2 O 3 composite shows superior electrochemical property, including high capacitance, excellent rate capability, and good cycle life. Consequently, the easy preparation approach in this work will be considered as an efficient pathway for the development of metal oxide or hydroxide/N-rGO electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/ α -Fe 2 O 3 (N-rGO/Fe 2 O 3 ) composite was prepared via easy one-step hydrothermal method, where urea served as nitrogen source, reducing agent, and precipitant. The presence of N-rGO was favored for the smaller size and more homogenous distribution of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticle. Due to the nitrogen doping and positive synergistic effect between N-rGO and Fe 2 O 3 , the obtained composite exhibited superior electrochemical performance.