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Novel functionalized polymeric materials incorporated with metal oxide nanoparticles are of paramount importance in the field of supercapacitors. These materials provide the advantage of enhanced specific capacitance coupled with efficient energy storage characteristics. In the present study, a new electrode material has been prepared by modifying the polystyrene maleic anhydride copolymer with 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). Chemically synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the polymer matrix at different weight percentages to form polymer nanocomposites (SMA-DDM-zinc oxide (SDZ)). The effect of increasing the weight percentage of nanoparticles on the modified copolymer was studied in details. The samples were characterized using ultravioletvisible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. SDZ was drop casted on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode and the electrochemical properties were studied. Cyclic voltammetry studies were conducted at various scan rates, and the characteristic curves were observed to be pseudorectangular in nature. The specific capacitance values were measured using the chronopotentiometry technique. SDZ 15% nanocomposite shows an enhanced specific capacitance of 313 F g −1 at a current density of 0.05 A g −1 with a power density of 629 W kg −1 . The superior performance of the SDZ nanocomposite electrodes renders it as a promising material for supercapacitor applications.

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Graphene-metal frameworks have been extensively studied and developed as electrode materials for next generation energy storage materials. Their high surface area and easily transformable structure enhances its specific capacitance characteristics. In the present study, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using Hummers method. Zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles were incorporated in to the GO matrix to form mixed metal oxides. GO, GO-CuO and GO-ZnO were characterized using UV-Visible, FTIR, FT Raman spectroscopy, SEM and XRD to confirm their effective formation. The surface of the glassy carbon electrode was modified by drop casting with the samples on its surface and its electrochemical properties were studied. Cyclic Voltammetry studies were conducted at various scan rates in different electrolytes (KCl, H 2 SO 4 and Na 2 SO 4) and the characteristic curves were observed to be asymmetric in nature. GO-CuO exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 790 F/g at 5 mV/s in KCl. The specific capacitance of the modified electrodes was also measured using the Chronopotentiometry technique. GO-CuO nanocomposites show a maximum specific capacitance of 800 F/g at 1 A/g. The nanocomposites showed enhanced electrochemical behaviour of the nanocomposites when compared to pure GO. The nanocomposites also showed good cycling stability. The superior performance of the GO-CuO and GO-ZnO nanocomposite electrode renders it as a promising material for supercapacitors applications.