Investigations on performance of PEDOT:PSS/V2O5 hybrid symmetric supercapacitor with redox electrolyte

Nanocomposites of PEDOT:PSS with V2O5 nanoparticles are synthesized by simple physical mixing of the two with different weight percentages of the latter and their performance as supercapacitor electrode materials is verified. Best performance is obtained for an optimum weight percent of 16.8% of V2O5. The specific capacitance and specific energy of the composite with 16.8% V2O5 increases by more than two fold, with increase in specific power, as compared to that of pristine PEDOT:PSS device. This is attributed to increase in conductivity brought about by the presence of V2O5 nanoparticles, easier transportation and intimate contact of electrolyte ions with the nanolayers of V2O5 due to the intercalation of PEDOT:PSS between the layers, and additional redox reactions due to various oxidation states of vanadium element, besides redox electrolyte effects. This is further confirmed by the reduced ESR of the composite device as compared to that of pristine PEDOT:PSS device.

Automated summary

Nanocomposites of PEDOT:PSS with V2O5 nanoparticles were synthesized through physical mixing, with the best performance seen at a weight percentage of 16.8% V2O5. The composite material demonstrated over two-fold increase in specific capacitance and specific energy compared to the pristine PEDOT:PSS device, attributed to improved conductivity, easier transportation of electrolyte ions, and additional redox reactions from the presence of V2O5. The reduced ESR of the composite device further confirmed these enhancements.