Organic
electrode materials have been widely investigated for their
high theoretical capacity, low toxicity, renewability, inexpensive
cost, and chemical/structural tunable advantages. Herein, 2-hydroxyanthraquinone
(HAQ)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hydrogel with a hierarchical porous
structure was prepared to achieve more efficient energy storage. The
optimal HAQ-rGO(0.5:1) composite can afford a high capacity of 325
F g–1 at 1 A g–1 and a good rate
capability corresponding to 96.5% retention of the original after
10,000 cycles in a 1M H2SO4 electrolyte. Given
the density functional theory (DFT) calculation, the binding energy
of HAQ on rGO and the charge density difference of the stacking site
under different adsorption directions were estimated. The cooperative
effect is essential to boost the electrochemical behavior of supercapacitors.
The constructed asymmetric supercapacitor (HAQ-rGO//BDTD-rGO) has
a most energy density of 17.7 Wh kg–1, 0.7 kW kg–1, a Coulomb efficiency of 99%, and a long-term cycling
stability (93% capacitance retention even after 10,000 cycles of 5
A g–1). In addition, 104 LEDs are lit in series
with two HAQ-rGO//BDTD-rGO devices.