Issue 46, 2013

Polyaniline/carbon nanotube nanocomposite electrodes with biomimetic hierarchical structure for supercapacitors

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposite films with three-dimensional architectures on the surface were prepared using fresh plant leaves as a template through the nanocasting technique. The biomimetic surface morphology of the PANI nanocomposite electrodes, including multiscale papilla-like and nanoscale texture, were successfully replicated from Xanthosoma sagittifolium leaves. The morphology, roughness and dispersed MWNTs of the PANI/MWNT nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It was found that the well-dispersed MWNTs and the multiscale morphology formed a uniform nanocomposite, with an observed larger surface area, high specific capacitance and good cycling stability during the charge–discharge process. A specific capacitance as high as 535 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 was achieved for a 5 wt% MWNT loading coupled with the high roughness of the PANI nanocomposite, and the capacitance was maintained with the increment of the current density to 3 A g−1. These easily fabricated PANI nanocomposite electrodes show great potential for energy storage applications.

Graphical abstract: Polyaniline/carbon nanotube nanocomposite electrodes with biomimetic hierarchical structure for supercapacitors

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Sep 2013
Accepted
27 Sep 2013
First published
07 Oct 2013

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013,1, 14719-14728

Polyaniline/carbon nanotube nanocomposite electrodes with biomimetic hierarchical structure for supercapacitors

C. Chang, C. Weng, C. Chien, T. Chuang, T. Lee, J. Yeh and Y. Wei, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 14719 DOI: 10.1039/C3TA13758A

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