Synthesis and electrochemical properties of hollow polyaniline microspheres by a sulfonated polystyrene template

Hollow polyaniline microspheres (HMsPANI) for supercapacitors were prepared successfully with sulfonated polystyrene microspheres as the template. The prepared electrode materials of HMsPANI consisted of nanoparticles and, thus, had a hierarchical structure. The electrochemical behaviors of the materials were investigated with cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic chargedischarge tests. A maximum specific capacitance of 421 F/g was achieved in a 1M H2SO4 solution, with the potential ranging from -0.2 to 0.8 V (vs a saturated calomel electrode), in a three-electrode glass cell at room temperature for the HMsPANI electrode. This suggested its potential application in electrochemical capacitors. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 127: 1544-1549, 2013