Abstract: The development of high specific capacitance electrode materials with high efficiency, scalability and economic feasibility is significant for the application of supercapacitors, however, the synthesis of electrode material still faces huge challenges. Herein, graphene(G)/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite was prepared via a simple hydrothermal method connected with subsequent thermal reduction process. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) results showed rod-like Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared and well-dispersed on graphene layers, providing a rich active site and effectively buffering the aggregation of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in the process of electrochemical reaction. The specific capacitance of the obtained G/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite as negative electrode for supercapacitor was 378.7 F/g at the current density of 1.5 A/g, and the specific capacitance retention was 88.76% after 3000 cycles. Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor(ASC) was fabricated with G/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite as negative electrode, graphene as positive electrode, which achieved a high energy density of 64.09 W∙h/kg at a power density of 800.01 W/kg, maintained 30.07 W∙h/kg at a power density of 8004.89 W/kg, and retained its initial capacitance by 78.04% after 3000 cycles. The excellent result offered a promising way for the G/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite to be applied in high energy density storage systems.

Key words: Graphene, Fe₂O₃, Electrode material, Supercapacitor