A Hydrogel of Ultrathin Pure Polyaniline Nanofibers: Oxidant-Templating Preparation and Supercapacitor Application

Authors:
  • KZKun Zhou
    Kun Zhou
  • YHYuan He
    Yuan He
  • QXQingchi Xu
    Qingchi Xu
  • QZQin’e Zhang
    Qin’e Zhang
  • AZAn’an Zhou
    An’an Zhou
  • ZLZihao Lu
    Zihao Lu
  • LYLi-Kun Yang
    Li-Kun Yang
  • DGDongtao Ge
    Dongtao Ge
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Abstract
Although challenging, fabrication of porous conducting polymeric materials with excellent electronic properties is crucial for many applications. We developed a fast in situ polymerization approach to pure polyaniline (PANI) hydrogels, with vanadium pentoxide hydrate nanowires as both the oxidant and sacrifice template. A network comprised of ultrathin PANI nanofibers was generated during the in situ polymerization, and the large aspect ratio of these PANI nanofibers allowed the formation of hydrogels at a low solid content of 1.03 wt %. Owing to the ultrathin fibril structure, PANI hydrogels functioning as a supercapacitor electrode display a high specific capacitance of 636 F g–1, a rate capability, and good cycling stability (∼83% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles). This method was also extended to the preparation of polypyrrole and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) hydrogels. This template polymerization method represents a rational strategy for design of conducing polymer networks, which can be readily integrated in high-performance devices or a further platform for functional composites.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21303144, 21503175, 21705135, 21774104)

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