Electrochemical Properties of Multi-Morphology Polypyrrole Electrode Materials Depended on Template Agents

With different template agents (blank, macromolecule polyvinyl alcohol PVA and micromolecule cetyltrimethylammonium bromide CTAB), nanoparticle-like polypyrrole (PPyNP), nanosphere-like polypyrrole (PPyNS) and nanowire-like polypyrrole (PPyNW) were synthesized respectively by in-situ polymerization. Interestingly, the diameter of PPyNS was about 108-160 nm by adjusting the mass of PVA, while the width range of PPyNW was about 63-87 nm by regulating the mass of CTAB. Also, the electrochemical properties of the as-obtained PPy with rich morphologies were investigated in aqueous electrolytes of different ionic and pH. The results show the electrochemical behaviors largely depend on the morphology of PPy, ionic and pH of the electrolyte. The specific capacitance of PPyNW fabricated with CTAB template delivers a maximum capacitance of 307 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in H2SO4 electrolyte. Thus, the electrochemical behaviors of multi-morphology PPy in different electrolytes provide a strong reference and good selection for supercapacitor electrode materials. With template agents (blank, PVA and CTAB), PPyNP, PPyNS and PPyNW were synthesized respectively by in-situ oxidation polymerization. The multi-morphology PPy electrode material exhibits different electrochemical behavior in different electrolytes. The specific capacitance of PPyNW fabricated with CTAB template delivers a maximum capacitance of 307 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in H2SO4 electrolyte.+image

Automated summary

In this study, polypyrrole (PPy) materials with different morphologies were successfully synthesized using different template agents. The electrochemical properties of these PPy materials in different electrolytes were investigated, and the results showed that the morphology of PPy, as well as the ionic and pH properties of the electrolyte, greatly influenced the electrochemical behavior. The PPyNW fabricated with CTAB template exhibited a maximum capacitance of 307 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in H2SO4 electrolyte, providing a strong reference for the selection of supercapacitor electrode materials.