Electrochemical properties of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) polyelectrolyte containing zwitterionic silica sulfobetaine for supercapacitors

A polyelectrolyte was made by combining poly (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) (PAMPS) and silica-sulfobetaine silane (SiSB) zwitterion (ZW) for use in supercapacitors. The polyelectrolyte blend with 10 wt % SiSB applied for symmetric cells indicated a specific capacitance of 321 F g(-1) at 10 mV s(-1) which is almost two times larger than that of pu r e PAMPS. The electrolytes consistin g of SiSB also showed higher ionic conductivit y than that of pristine PAMPS electrolyte due to ionic channels generated the zwitterions, thereby accelerating ion activity in the electrolyte. The PAMPS with 10 wt% SiSB exhibited an excellent cycling stabilit y of 100% capacity retention over 5000 cycles compared to PAMPS with 73% retention. These results indicated a synerg y effect via the silica-based zwitterion and the PAMPS which could be a prospective candidate for supercapacitors applications.