Multifunctionality of Polypyrrole Polyethyleneoxide Composites: Concurrent Sensing, Actuation and Energy Storage

Abstract

In films of conducting polymers, the electrochemical reaction(s) drive the simultaneous variation of different material properties (reaction multifunctionality). Here, we present a parallel study of actuation-sensing-energy storage triple functionality of polypyrrole (PPy) blends with dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS-), PPy/DBS, without and with inclusion of polyethyleneoxide, PPy-PEO/DBS. The characterization of the response of both materials in aqueous solutions of four different salts indicated that all of the actuating, sensing and charge storage responses were, independent of the electrolyte, present for both materials, but stronger for the PPy-PEO/DBS films: 1.4× higher strains, 1.3× higher specific charge densities, 2.5× higher specific capacitances and increased ion-sensitivity towards the studied counterions. For both materials, the reaction energy, the material potential and the strain variations adapt to and sense the electrical and chemical (exchanged cation) conditions. The driving and the response of actuation, sensing and charge can be controlled/read, simultaneously, via just two connecting wires. Only the cooperative actuation of chemical macromolecular motors from functional cells has such chemical multifunctionality.

Polypyrrole with Phosphor Tungsten Acid and Carbide-Derived Carbon: Change of Solvent in Electropolymerization and Linear Actuation

“…Other research found that PPy with incorporated POM molecules is qualified for energy storage material reaching specific capacitance in the range of 168 F g −1 [ 57 ]. Pristine PPy/DBS applied in different aqueous electrolytes [ 10 ] revealed capacitance between 20 to 60 F g −1 (±0.12 A g −1 ).…”

“…Addition of charged molecules such as polyoxometalates (Keggin type [ 7 ], phosphotungstic acid (PTA, PW 12 O 40 3− )) forming PPyDBS-PT composites revealed strain in aqueous electrolyte in range of 5.2% [ 8 ]. Additional incorporation of meso-porous carbide-derived carbon (CDC) particles forming PPyDBS-PT-CDC (PPyCDC) linear films [ 9 ] had strain in the range of 12% while PPyDBS linear actuators strain values varied at 4–6% strain depending on the choice of electrolyte applied [ 10 ]. In general PPyDBS (as well with additional molecules such as PTA and CDC) show main expansion at reduction in aqueous electrolytes with so called cation-driven actuators (Equation (1)).…”

Polypyrrole and Graphene Nanoplatelets Inks as Electrodes for Flexible Solid-State Supercapacitor

“…Due to its ability to undergo electrically driven reversible transitions between its oxidized and reduced forms, polypyrrole is by far the most popular conjugated polymer that can be used as a component in electrodes for electrochemical energy storage devices [22][23][24]. The polypyrrole employed here (from now on referred to as PPy), is an insoluble powder of electrically conducting polypyrrole doped by a proprietary organic sulfonic acid for and that has been loaded with 20% carbon black to be used either as a compressed pellet or to be somehow dispersed into a host matrix and then processed as a film.…”

Portable and Highly Versatile Impedance Meter for Very Low Frequency Measurements

“…In common with other conjugated polymers, PPY has alternating single and double carboncarbon bonds and the ability to undergo electrically driven reversible transition between its oxidized and reduced form, which has been exploited in actuators emulating artificial muscles [43], in electrochromic windows [44], and in a variety of applications going from electrochemical sensing [45,46] to energy storage and conversion [47][48][49][50][51][52]. Conducting electrodes to be used in electrochemical energy storage devices can be developed starting from commercially available insoluble PPY powder, as we attempt to do here, or by using PPY polymerized from its monomer and doped, or by combining PPY with a variety of other materials including nanostructured carbon and metal oxides, to yield nanocomposites with tailored electrical, and electrochemical properties [53][54][55]. Because of their electrochemical activity, electrodes based on PPY and its nanocomposites, when applied in a planar supercapacitor configuration, namely when impregnated with an electrolyte and separated from another electrode through an ion-permeable medium, confer to the device a faradaic character.…”