Salen complex of amino alcohol incorporated in two-dimensional matrices for supercapacitor applications

In this study, we synthesized a covalently bound amine and an alcohol-functionalized graphite material from reactions between the aromatic alcohol salicylaldehyde and aliphatic amine diethyl triamine. Various physicochemical techniques were used to analyze the amine- and alcohol-functionalized graphene oxide (GO). The primary amine functionality on the GO surface widened the interlayer space. The incorporation of free amines and oxygen functionalities, assisted by the GO material, onto the GO electrode surface was employed for additional surface modification. It was anticipated that the hydrophilic properties of salen-fGO (amino alcohol with GO functionalization) might increase the dispersion stability and wettability of the surface. The amino-alcohol functional group enhanced the electron-donating action of GO by conjugation with salen-fGO. Moreover, electron donation improved the electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLC) mechanism. The intercalated salen-fGO material exhibited a decreased 2-theta value of 7.4° from 11.4° and an increased d-spacing value of the interlayer from 0.7 nm to 1.4 nm. The salen-fGO and GO-specific capacitances in the H2SO4 electrolyte are 402.5 and 165.8 F g−1, respectively. The Salen-fGO electrode material exhibited a capacitance retention rate of 94%, highlighting its remarkable electrochemical cycle stability.