Charge storage in the PANI-α-MnO2 polymer-nanocomposite system

Supercapacitors (SCs) store electrochemical energy with high specific power, faster charge response, and long cycle life at an electrode-electrolyte interface; however, with lower specific energy than commercial batteries. In this article, structural, morphological, surface and electrochemical properties of a polymernanocomposite in the PANI-alpha-MnO2 system has been systematically investigated. The alpha-MnO2 was synthesized by molten salt methods and the polymeric composite was developed by in-situ polymerization. The materials were characterized by thermal analyses, X-ray and electron diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, gas adsorption studies, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the materials before and after PANI modification are studied in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte employing cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A difference in charge storage mechanism from pseudocapacitive type to battery-type was observed upon PANI modification and the corresponding charge storage and charge kinetic parameters have been detailed. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article systematically investigates the structural, morphological, surface, and electrochemical properties of a polymer nanocomposite in the PANI-alpha-MnO2 system. By modifying PANI, a shift in charge storage mechanism from pseudocapacitive type to battery-type was observed.