Nanostructured Conducting Polymers and Their Applications in Energy Storage Devices

Abstract

Due to the energy requirements for various human activities, and the need for a substantial change in the energy matrix, it is important to research and design new materials that allow the availability of appropriate technologies. In this sense, together with proposals that advocate a reduction in the conversion, storage, and feeding of clean energies, such as fuel cells and electrochemical capacitors energy consumption, there is an approach that is based on the development of better applications for and batteries. An alternative to commonly used inorganic materials is conducting polymers (CP). Strategies based on the formation of composite materials and nanostructures allow outstanding performances in electrochemical energy storage devices such as those mentioned. Particularly, the nanostructuring of CP stands out because, in the last two decades, there has been an important evolution in the design of various types of nanostructures, with a strong focus on their synergistic combination with other types of materials. This bibliographic compilation reviews state of the art in this area, with a special focus on how nanostructured CP would contribute to the search for new materials for the development of energy storage devices, based mainly on the morphology they present and on their versatility to be combined with other materials, which allows notable improvements in aspects such as reduction in ionic diffusion trajectories and electronic transport, optimization of spaces for ion penetration, a greater number of electrochemically active sites and better stability in charge/discharge cycles.

Recent Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities of Conducting Polymers for Energy Storage Applications

“…The level of doping directly impacts various factors, including conductivity, charge level, and electrochemical characteristics of the polymer. [12] N-doping and p-doping processes basically involve the addition or removal of charge carriers, respectively. When ndoping occurs, an extra electron (e À 1 ) is introduced to the conduction band, increasing the concentration of charge carriers.…”

“…However, beyond a certain threshold, coulombic repulsion significantly increases, leading to over‐oxidation of the polymer. The level of doping directly impacts various factors, including conductivity, charge level, and electrochemical characteristics of the polymer [12] …”

Oxidative chemical vapor deposition for synthesis and processing of conjugated polymers: a critical review

“…125 Furthermore, the possibility of coating an ultrathin layer in the order of 4 nm could significantly add to the long-term stability of the modified electrode. 125,258 Exploiting the possibility to coat a textured substrate with nano/meso/micro features with a CP and preserve its geometry has shown to be a versatile approach for improved performance across a wide range of applications. For example, Kim et al deposited 20 nm of PEDOT on mesoporous ITO and validated it as a Pt-free cathode for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a performance similar to a Pt-based cathode.…”

Facile synthesis of Z-scheme Fe-nPPy/BiOI nanocomposites for enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity

“…CPs can absorb visible light, making them potential candidates for photocatalysis using solar radiation. 7,8 Nanostructuring and nanocomposite formation were found to be effective strategies to enhance the photocatalytic application of CPs. 9–12 Among CPs, the high intrinsic electrical conductivity of nPPy 13 renders it useful for the improvement of light absorption and charge separation at the interface in composite photocatalysts.…”