ADVANCED DOPANTS FOR POLYPYRROLE SYNTHESIS AND MAGNETIC POLYPYRROLE COMPOSITE ELECTRODES FOR SUPERCAPACITORS

Abstract

In this study, PPy prepared by chemical polymerization was investigated as the active material for the electrode of supercapacitors. New anionic dopants and advanced dispersants were developed for PPy and PPy-based composites. These methods improved the overall electrochemical performance and cyclic stability of PPy electrodes. The pseudocapacitive properties of ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic materials were explored and combined with PPy to fabricate composites with enhanced charge storage properties and magnetic properties. The results indicated that high active mass loading and good electrochemical performance of PPy-based composite electrodes were achieved by optimizing content and improving dispersion of conducting additives multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with advanced dopant-dispersants including 1,3,(6,7)-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid trisodium salt hydrate, 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt hydrate, 1-Diazo-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, sodium taurocholate, redox-active dopant methyl orange, as well as advanced dispersant and charge-transfer mediator gallocyanine. Surface modification of magnetic materials by high-energy ball milling is also beneficial for good performance. The electrochemical testing results demonstrated that the fabrication of PPy and magnetic composite materials is promising for supercapacitors applications.