The influence of the range of electroactivity and capacitance of conducting polymers on the performance of carbon conducting polymer hybrid supercapacitor

Hybrid electrochemical supercapacitors based on carbon and conducting polymers as negative and positive electrodes, respectively, have been investigated. Poly-(3-fluorinatedphenyl) thiophene and poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) derivatives showing various ranges of electrochemical activity and capacitance values were evaluated as positive electrodes. It was shown that the mass and capacitance of the polymers have a significant effect on the charge/discharge characteristics and performance of such hybrid electrochemical supercapacitors. The experimental conditions that should be used to obtain specific charge/discharge curves are presented. A linear charge/discharge curve can be obtained between 0 and 3 V when the weight of conducting polymer is larger than that of the negative carbon electrode. In contrast, a battery-like charge/discharge curve is recorded when a smaller conducting polymer weight, relative to that of the carbon electrode, is used. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society.