Polyaniline/carbon nanotube composite cathode for rechargeable lithium polymer batteries assembled with gel polymer electrolyte

A nanocomposite of polyaniline ( PANI ) and multiwalled carbon nanotube ( CNT ) was prepared by the in situ chemical polymerization of aniline in well-dispersed CNT solution. The PANI/CNT composite was employed as an active cathode material in rechargeable lithium polymer cells. Gel polymer electrolyte based on the porous poly ( vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene ) membrane was used as an electrolyte material in assembling the cells. The cell delivered a maximum discharge capacity of 86 mAh g at the 80th cycle with an average coulombic efficiency of 98%. To investigate the effect and role of CNT in the above composite, two different kinds of cathodes were prepared by mechanically mixing the pure polyaniline with CNT or super-p carbon separately. The electrochemical performances of these two cathode materials were also evaluated in the lithium polymer cells. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.