Novel three-dimensional polyaniline nanothorns vertically grown on buckypaper as high-performance supercapacitor electrode

Abstract

Combining polyaniline (PANI) with different dimensional carbon materials is an effective way to solve the disadvantages of poor rate performance and cycling stability induced by the structure destruction of conductive polymer materials over long-term charge/discharge cycles. In this work, novel three-dimensional (3D) conical PANI nanothorns are synthesized on a buckypaper substrate via a controlled electropolymerization process. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the vertical growth of PANI nanothorns and the excellent mechanical elasticity of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, it can effectively alleviate the volume change during the charging and discharging process of the electrode material and ensure the rapid transmission of electrons. The morphology and structure of the composite have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 742 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in 1 M of H2SO4 electrolyte and a capacitance retention of 76% after 2000 cycles. The novel 3D PANI nanothorn/buckypaper composite has significant potential as practical for use as electrode materials of supercapacitors due to its easy synthesis, low cost, and high specific capacitance.

Progress in supercapacitors: roles of two dimensional nanotubular materials

“… 410 3D polyaniline nanothorns on buckypaper as an electrode exhibit a high specific capacitance of 742 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 in a 1 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte and a capacitance retention of 76% after 2000 cycles. 411 As a supercapacitor electrode material, NiCo 2 S 4 nanotubes with a unique hollow and spinous structure exhibit a good specific capacitance (630 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 ), low internal resistance R s (0.68 Ω) and high capacitance retention (91% after 3000 cycles) at 10 A g −1 . 412 Some of the recent developments in high-performance supercapacitors using nanotubular networks have opened a new avenue for exploring techniques, specifically electrode characterization and modulations, to achieve high power density, capacity retention, and good cyclability.…”

Review on Carbon/Polyaniline Hybrids: Design and Synthesis for Supercapacitor

“…The vertical 3D PANI attached to the surface of the CNTs prevents self-aggregation, due to high surface energy, and effectively shortens the diffusion path and promotes the transport of electrons and ions. In our previous work, we synthesized new three-dimensional tapered PANI nanothorns on a buckypaper substrate (Figure 6d,e) by a simple electropolymerization process [83]. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of vertical growth of three-dimensional PANI and excellent electrical conductivity of MWCNTs, it can effectively alleviate the low-rate performance and cycle stability caused by the expansion and contraction of PANI in the long-term charge/discharge cycle of electrode materials, and provides a fast electronic transmission path.…”

“…( d ) SEM image of the buckypaper (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) paper); ( e ) SEM image of the PANI nanothorns/buckypaper with the electrodeposition time of 10 min; ( f ) specific capacitance based on galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurements at different current densities pertaining to the PANI nanothorns/buckypaper. Reproduced with permission from Reference [83], copyright IOP science, 2019. ( g ) SEM images of the acidized carbon fibers (CF)-CNTs; ( h ) SEM images of the acidized CF-CNTs/PANI; ( i ) GCD curves at different current densities of the CF-CNTs/PANI electrode with polymerization time of 4 h. Reproduced with permission from Reference [84], copyright Elsevier, 2018.…”

A self-supported electrode for supercapacitors based on nanocellulose/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole composite

“…10 As the structure of the electrode does not alter during the charging-discharging process, EDLCs are endowed with long service lifetimes. 11 Pseudocapacitors, which are typically comprised of metal oxides/hydroxides 12,13 or conductive polymers, 14,15 store energy via reversible faradaic processes which can occur on both the surface and within the active materials. Because they utilize rapid redox reactions, pseudocapacitors exhibit much higher specic capacitances in comparison with EDLCs.…”