Synergistic effect of chitin nanofibers and polyacrylamide on electrochemical performance of their ternary composite with polypyrrole

Development of simple methods for preparation of polymeric electrode materials with nanofibrous network structure is a perspective way toward cheap supercapacitors with high specific capacitance and energy density. In this work one-pot synthesis of electroactive ternary composite based on polypyrrole, polyacrylamide and chitin nanofibers with beneficial morphology was elaborated. Ternary system demonstrates better electrochemical performance in comparison with both polypyrrole–polyacrylamide and polypyrrole–chitin binary composites. Possible mechanism of synergistic effect of simultaneous influence of polyacrylamide and chitin nanofibers on the formation of composite＇s structure is discussed.The highest attained specific capacitance of electroactive polypyrrole in ternary composite reached 249 F/g at 0.5 A/g and 150 F/g at 32 A/g. Symmetrical supercapacitor was assembled using the elaborated electrode material. High specific capacitance 89 F/g and good cycling stability with capacitance retention of 90% after 3000 cycles at 2 A/g were measured.

Ion-conducting Membranes Based on Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers Modified by Poly(sodium acrylate-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)

Green method for preparation of ion-conducting membranes(ICM) based on bacterial cellulose nanofibers(CNF) modified by a copolymer of sodium acrylate and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid was elaborated. FTIR and NMR data confirmed grafting of polyacrylate onto cellulose surface. Formation of porous structure of the ICM was controlled by SEM and AFM. The maximal ionic conductivity of the membranes reaches 1.5 and 3.1 mS·cm^(-1)(60 ℃ and 98% relative humidity) when they are saturated with water or H_2SO_4(1 mol·L^(-1)) electrolyte,respectively. Prepared ICM was tested as a separator in a symmetrical supercapacitor with electrodes based on polyaniline hydrogel. The assembled cell demonstrate ability to operate at high current density up to 100 A·g^(-1) maintaining specific capacitance 165 F·g^(-1). Maximal specific capacitance of 289 F·g^(-1) was achieved at current density 1 A·g^(-1). Retaining of 90% of initial capacitance after 10000 of charge-discharge cycles proves high electrochemical stability of prepared ICM.

Self-healable and Robust Film Based on Electroactive Polymer Brush as Electrode for Flexible Supercapacitor

The aim of this study was to develop self-healable and robust elect roconductive film based on polyaniline copolymer for application as electrode in flexible supercapacitor.For this purpose,the electroconductive polymer brushes(EPB)was elaborated.The synthesis of EPB is based on graft polymerizations of acrylamide(AAm)on poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)with formation of PVA-PAAm polymer brush and subsequent graft copolymerization of aniline and p-phenylenediamine on PVA-PAAm resulting in formation of EPB with electroconducting copoly(aniline-co-pphenylenediamine)(PAPh DA).It was found that the ratio between PVA and PAAm at the first stage greatly influence the electrochemical performance of the EPBs.Electroconducting films were prepared by casting of EPB solution with subsequent drying.Investigation of electrical current distribution through the film with AFM reveal more uniform distribution of PAPhDA in EPB in comparison with reference PVA-PAPhDA and PAAm-PAPhDA samples.It was demonstrated that mechanical cha racteristics and electrical conductivity values of films restore at large extent after curring and self-healing under optimal relative humidity level(58%).The flexile supercapacitor cell with EPB film electrodes demon strate specific capacitance 602 mF·cm^(-2)at the current density of 1 mA·cm^(-2)and retention 94%of initial capacitance after 5000 charge/discharge cycles.