Improving electrochemical performance of polyaniline by introducing carbon aerogel as filler

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) with carbon aerogel (CA) as conducting filler has been synthesized by an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectra, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction indicate that the three-dimensional carbon nano-network of CA is entirely buried inside the PANI matrix and its introduction basically does not change the structure of PANI. The electrochemical performances of the as-prepared PANI materials with CA filler are evaluated by means of galvanostatic charge–discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is found that the electrochemical performances of PANI are notably improved due to the introduction of CA filler. For example, when operating at a large current density of 50 mA cm⁻², CA-modified PANI with the optimal CA/aniline ratio of 1.0 wt% exhibits a specific capacitance as high as 226 F g⁻¹, whereas neat PANI has only 89 F g⁻¹. The CA modification mechanism of PANI has been discussed in detail.