Self-assembled multilayer films of sulfonated graphene and polystyrene-based diazonium salt as photo-cross-linkable supercapacitor electrodes.

Abstract

Photo-cross-linkable multilayer films composed of sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (SRGO) and polystyrene-based diazonium salt (PSDAS) were fabricated by electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly. Polystyrene with narrow molecular weight distribution was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and cationic PSDAS was prepared through nitration, reduction, and diazotization reactions. Negatively charged SRGO nanosheets were prepared through prereduced by NaBH4, modified by diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid, and then further reduced by hydrazine. The multilayer films were obtained by alternately dipping substrates in the PSDAS solution and SRGO dispersion in acidic c..