Preliminary study of electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of the influence copper addition in reduced graphene oxide (rGO)

Graphene is a two-dimensional material which has interesting properties such as high theoretical surface area, excellent intrinsic strength, high thermal, and electrical conductivity properties. These superior properties make graphene suitable as an anode in a lithium battery. In this research, we introduced copper to enhance electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), since copper has excellent conductivity properties. rGO with the addition of copper has successfully synthesized via in situ chemical exfoliation with microwave-assisted. The resulting samples were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), four-point probe, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The annealing treatment could increase the electrical conductivity of the sample. Electrochemical properties of samples have been characterized using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), resulting in charge transfer resistance (R
_ct
) value of 48.1 Ohm from the sample of rGO with the addition of 5 wt% copper.