Composites of Conducting Polymers and Various Carbon Nanostructures for Electrochemical Supercapacitors

Abstract

Supercapacitors are energy storage devices known for their long life charge-discharge cycling stability, highly reversible charge storage ability, and high power density. Carbon nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have been recognized as promising active materials due to their outstanding conductivity and large surface area, the two key requirements of superior supercapacitor electrode materials. Moreover, the composites of these nanomaterials and different conducting polymers (CPs) are borne out to be even more promising for that purpose. The present article provides a critical review of conducting composites made of the fullerene-based polymers belonging to the redox conducting polymers (RCP), the aniline, pyrrole and thiophene π-electron polymers of the electronically conducting polymers (ECPs) family and CNTs- and/or graphene-based structured nanomaterials. Specific capacitance values up to ∼900 F g−1 were reported for some nanocarbon/CP composites indicating that they can be considered as future electrode materials for constructing charge storage devices.

Polyanthraquinone-based nanostructured electrode material capable of high-performance pseudocapacitive energy storage in aprotic electrolyte

“…In light of above evidence, we believe that PAQ polymers conformally grow on KB carbon black particles in the composites. They may interact via π-π stacking between the conjugate polymeric chain and the graphitic domain of the carbon support [20]. Introducing a high amount of PAQ in P4 leads to large polymeric aggregates with irregular shapes.…”

Synthesis, structural and electrochemical properties of sodium nickel phosphate for energy storage devices

“…8 In contrast, the poor electrical conductivity and slow response of conducting polymer materials results in low power densities and poor stability. 13 As a solution, these materials are usually deposited on highly conductive carbon substrates to improve conductivity, as well as to achieve high capacitance. Next to the oxides and hydroxides, transition metal phosphates and molybdates offer excellent performance in terms of structural stability, energy efficiency, safety and environmental inertness.…”

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/single-walled carbon nanotube array hybrid materials

“…Interestingly, when studying the same electrodeposition process on a platinum electrode, the onset potential was significantly more positive compared to the case of the SWCNT (E = 1.52 V). This is a clear indication of the strong electronic interaction between the aromatic monomer, and the conjugated electron system of the carbon nanotubes [33,34]. This interaction facilitates the oxidation of the monomer molecules on the CNT surface, thus initiating the polymerization reaction.…”