Harnessing laser technology to create stable metal halide perovskite-rGO conjugates as promising electrodes for Zn-ion capacitors

We report that the direct conjugation of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals on rGO sheets can provide high performance and stable electrodes for Zn-ion capacitors. It is the first time that metal halide nanocrystals have been used to enhance the energy storage of 2D materials in capacitors by introducing an additional pseudocapacitance mechanism. In particular, we present a simple, rapid and room temperature laser-induced method to anchor CsPbBr3 nanocrystals on rGO sheets without affecting the initial morphology and crystal structure of the two components. The flexible and high surface area of the rGO sheets enables the conjugation of individual metal halide perovskite nanocrystals, giving rise to new synergetic functionalities. As a result, the specific capacitance of the perovskite-rGO conjugated electrodes can be enhanced by 178- and 152-times compared to those of the plain rGO and perovskite electrodes respectively. Perovskite-rGO conjugates in Zn-ion capacitors: specific capacitance enhanced 178- and 152-fold compared to those of the plain rGO and perovskite electrodes due to EDLC and pseudocapacitance synergy.