A Simple Route to Fabricate Ultralong and Uniform Polypyrrole Nanowires with High Electrochemical Capacitance for Supercapacitor Electrodes

Abstract

This work demonstrated a straightforward strategy to fabricate ultralong interconnected polypyrrole (PPy-GS) nanowires with a gemini surfactant (GS) as a soft template and dopant. Pure PPy particles and a PPy nanowire doped with CTAB (PPy-CTAB) were prepared for comparison. The results showed that the electrochemical performances, conductivity, and morphology of PPy-GS could be significantly changed by changing the concentration of GS in the aqueous phase owing to the different self-assembly behaviors. When the molar ratio of pyrrole, APS, and GS was 1:1:0.4, an interconnected ultralong and uniform PPy-GS nanowire with the largest surface area, the smallest average pore size, the lowest contact angle, and the highest conductivity can be obtained, resulting in the formation of effective electrolyte transport channels and faster electron transport pathways. Compared with pure PPy particles and the PPy-CTAB nanowire, the incorporation of GS significantly enhanced the conductivity and specific capacitance of PPy-GS-40%. The conductivity of PPy-GS-40% was up to 13.54 S/cm compared with 1.17 S/cm for PPy particles and 3.84 S/cm for the PPy-CTAB nanowire. Also, the highest specific capacitance of PPy-GS reached up to 556 F/g at 1 A/g compared with 233 F/g for PPy particles and 397 F/g for the PPy-CTAB nanowire. A total of 85.4% of the initial capacitance was retained even after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A/g. The energy density and power density of the PPy-GS-40% symmetrical supercapacitor were 49.4 Wh/kg and 400 W/kg, respectively. The good electrochemical properties of the PPy-GS electrode suggest a tremendous potential in the high-performance electrode not only for supercapacitors but extensively for various energy storage applications.

Exploring the Influence of Morphology on Bipolaron–Polaron Ratios and Conductivity in Polypyrrole in the Presence of Surfactants

“…Additionally, regarding the electrostatic force that might have occurred from Fe + between particles, as mentioned above [ 54 , 55 ], this interaction force may disrupt sheet-like forming and increase porosity in the PPy structure [ 59 ]. Some works reported that a specific higher porous PPy structure represented a higher surface area and an increase in its electronic properties [ 60 , 61 ].…”

Highly Electroactive Frozen-State Polymerized Polypyrrole Nanostructures for Flexible Supercapacitors

“…In Figure 3, the Nyquist plots of PPy-based electrodes showed different spectral representations in different electrolytes. Semicircles were present in the high frequency region, indicating the charge transfer process taking place between the working electrode and the electrolyte [52]. Straight lines of varying slopes were seen in the low frequency region, referring to the diffusion of charges/ions in the electrodes [52,53].…”

“…Semicircles were present in the high frequency region, indicating the charge transfer process taking place between the working electrode and the electrolyte [52]. Straight lines of varying slopes were seen in the low frequency region, referring to the diffusion of charges/ions in the electrodes [52,53]. Here, PPy-MO had the least charge transfer resistance, R ct (see Table S3), in all electrolytes, indicating its good conductivity, and then, it was succeeded by PPy-AB and PPy-FS.…”

Probing the Synergy of Ni(OH)2/NiO Nanoparticles Supported on rGO for Battery‐Type Supercapacitors

“…Researchers are focusing their efforts on developing active electrode materials with superior electrochemical stability, a large specific area, and a quick ion and electron diffusion rate to improve the storage mechanism of supercapacitors. [9][10][11] In recent years, transition metal hydroxides, [12][13][14] oxides, [15][16][17][18][19] and conductive polymers [20][21][22] have been widely employed for energy storage applications. [23,24] In comparison to the other materials, transition metal hydroxide/ oxide has drawn attention in the field of energy storage due to the remarkable synergistic effect.…”

“…In recent years, transition metal hydroxides, [ 12–14 ] oxides, [ 15–19 ] and conductive polymers [ 20–22 ] have been widely employed for energy storage applications. [ 23,24 ] In comparison to the other materials, transition metal hydroxide/oxide has drawn attention in the field of energy storage due to the remarkable synergistic effect.…”