Preparation and electrochemical characterization of porous SWNT-PPy nanocomposite sheets for supercapacitor applications

Highly porous sheets comprised of single walled carbon nanotubes and doped polypyrrole (SWNT-PPy) were prepared by vacuum filtration of SWNT-PPy methanol dispersions. The employed preparation procedure is an extension of conventional bucky-paper fabrication technique for the multi-component system. A number of nanocornposites with nominal SWNT: PPy compositions ranging from 1:0 to 1: 1 were obtained and tested. Electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic spectroscopy technique in aqueous I M NaCl electrolyte. The highest specific capacitance of 131 F/g was obtained for nanocomposite with 1: 1 SWNT: PPy ratio. Prospective applications of prepared materials range from supercapacitors to electrodes for batteries and electromechanical actuators. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.