Conducting Polymers and Their Application in Supercapacitor Devices

Abstract

Considering the excellent chemical and physical properties of conducting polymers (CPs), such as high surface area as well as short path lengths for electronic and ionic transport, along with their flexible nature, places CPs in the spotlight as one of the most widely studied materials for energy storage, and especially for supercapacitor electrodes. This article briefly covers the theory behind CPs, their methods of production and customization, and what makes CPs as desirable materials for supercapacitor applications. In addition, the synthesis of thiophene derivatives, used to impove the stability of the resultant CP, is also presented. One negative effect of using CPs is often associated with the increase of their molecular weight,which results in lower gravimetric performance. Therefore, we discuss the important difference between practical gravimetric capacitance and theoretical gravimetric capacitance. Some of the limitations of CPs (such as limited cycle life) can be improved upon via compositing with carbon materials or metal oxide materials. Finally, a discussion of real‐world devices and prototypes concludes the article. Devices utilizing CPs as the main active component are mainly limited to trial devices and prototypes. Nonetheless, CPs continue to attract interest in the academic world as prospective supercapacitor materials with great potential to outperform the existing commercial devices.

Voltaglue Electroceutical Adhesive Patches for Localized Voltage Stimulation

“…The application of Voltaglue (PAMAM with grafted diazirine) requires an increase in voltage (electric field) in order to maintain the current (Figure G). As diazirine can reversibly be reduced (Figure A), the temporary rise in voltage in Figure G may be attributed to either of the following or a combination thereof: (1) increased charge repulsion by the negatively charged diazirinyl radical, which is a known intermediate to form carbene, ,− (2) hydration of the Teledeltos paper, thus breaking the electrical percolation, (3) nucleation and growth mechanisms in PAMAM, or (4) resistance mismatch between the Teledeltos paper and Voltaglue (attributed to path of least resistance). The dissipation of voltage under all current conditions supports the hypothesis that the diazirinyl radical is consumed in a cross-linking reaction, and nitrogen is evolved from the cathode to anode.…”

“…(1) increased charge repulsion by the negatively charged diazirinyl radical, which is a known intermediate to form carbene, 24,30−32 (2) hydration of the Teledeltos paper, thus breaking the electrical percolation, (3) nucleation and growth mechanisms in PAMAM, 33 or (4) resistance mismatch between the Teledeltos paper and Voltaglue (attributed to path of least resistance). The dissipation of voltage under all current conditions supports the hypothesis that the diazirinyl radical is consumed in a cross-linking reaction, and nitrogen is evolved from the cathode to anode.…”

Fabrication and characterization of cellulose acetate-based nanofibers and nanofilms for H2S gas sensing application

“…ICPs, such as polyacetylene (PA), PPy and polyaniline (PANi) contain monomers that are capable of gaining positive or negative charge through oxidation or reduction. This phenomenon largely contributes to the intrinsic electrical conductivity of the ICPs (Abdelhamid & Snook, 2002;Nambiar & Yeow, 2011). ICPs play an important role in different commercial applications, particularly in actuators, sensors, and electrochromic devices (Smela, 1999;Van de Leur & Van der Waal, 1999;Kincal, Kumar, Child & Reynolds, 1998).…”

3-dimensional electrode structure for enhanced electrochemical performance of in-plane microsupercapacitors

“…Due to its polymeric nature, conducting polymers undergo large volumetric changes during charge insertion and extraction in its polymer backbone. In its bulk form, this results in large internal stress which often leads to loss of material after a certain number of cycles [102].…”