Flexible and high surface area composites of carbon fiber, polypyrrole, and poly(DMcT) for supercapacitor electrodes
Abstract Thin films of polypyrrole (Ppy) and poly 2,5 dimercapto 1,3,4 thiadiazole (poly(DMcT) are electrochemically deposited on pieces of carbon fiber (CF) cloth, yielding flexible and high surface area composites that are characterized as electrodes for supercapacitors. A bilayered polymeric composite (CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy) is obtained by depositing a nanometric layer of Ppy on CF already supporting a poly(DMcT) film. Electrochemical stability tests indicate that the Ppy film acts as a barrier that prevents the loss of the poly(DMcT) electroactive material, thus improving the charge storage characteristics of the bilayered film even after 1000 cycles. Specific capacitance values of 460 50 and 1130 100 F g 1 are observed for electrodes made of the CF/Ppy and CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy composites, respectively. Comparatively to similar Ppy composite materials used for supercapacitors, the bilayered film electrode here reported presents a significantly improved specific capacitance value.