Improving the Performance of a Graphite Foil/Polyaniline Electrode Material by a Thin PEDOT:PSS Layer for Application in Flexible, High Power Supercapacitors

Abstract

In this study, we present a novel strategy for enhancing polyaniline stability and thus obtaining an electrode material with practical application in supercapacitors. A promising (graphite foil/polyaniline/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) GF/PANI/PEDOT:PSS) electrode material was characterized and used in the construction of a symmetric supercapacitor that provides an outstanding high power density. For this purpose, the electropolymerization of PANI was carried out on a graphite foil and then a thin protective layer of PEDOT:PSS was deposited. The presence of the nanometer PEDOT:PSS layer made it possible to widen the electroactivity potential range of the electrode material. Moreover, the synergy between materials positively affected the amount of accumulated charge, and thus the thin PEDOT:PSS layer contributed to enhancing the specific capacity of the electrode material. The electrochemical performance of the GF/PANI/PEDOT:PSS electrode, as well as the symmetrical supercapacitor, was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles in 1 M H2SO4 at room temperature. The fabricated electrode material shows a high specific capacitance (Csp) of 557.4 Fg−1 and areal capacitance (Careal) of 2600 mF·cm−2 in 1 M H2SO4 at a current density of 200 mA·cm−2 (~4 A·g−1). The supercapacitor performance was studied and the results show that a thin PEDOT:PSS layer enables cycling stability improvement of the device from 54% to 67% after 10,000 cycles, and provides a high specific capacity (159.8 F·g−1) and a maximum specific power (18,043 W·kg−1) for practical applications.

Polyaniline Synthesized by Different Dopants for Fluorene Detection via Photoluminescence Spectroscopy

“…PANI is a singular conducting polymer compound with unique electrical and optical properties [ 10 ] and has the advantages of simple synthesis, environmental stability, affordability and flexible control of electrical features with charge-transfer doping and protonation [ 10 , 12 , 13 ]. Owing to its extraordinary properties, this compound can be used in various fields, such as electrochromic glasses [ 14 ], solar cells [ 15 ], electroluminescent machines [ 10 ], sensors [ 16 ], biosensors [ 17 ], supercapacitors [ 18 ], neural prosthesis/biotic–abiotic interfaces [ 10 ], scaffolding [ 19 ], delivery systems [ 20 ], anti-corrosion materials [ 21 ], membrane gas separation [ 8 ] and solar cells [ 22 ]. During the polymerization of aniline monomer, PANI transforms into one of the three states of normalized oxidation: (a) leucoemeraldine (white/clear), (b) pernigraniline (blue/violet) and (c) emeraldine (salt- green/base-blue).…”

Analysis of Technological Heredity in the Production of Rolling Bearing Rings Made of AISI 52100 Steel Based on Waviness Measurements

“…However, the standardization does not prevent manufacturers of rolling bearings from trying to improve their production processes so that their products are of high quality [ 7 ]. In addition, the application of modern materials and additional coatings for the production of bearing elements allows one to improve the functionality of rolling bearings [ 8 ]. Moreover, together with the development of methods of manufacturing bearing components, certain solutions related to the measurement technique should be sought in order to improve the measurement process [ 9 , 10 ].…”