Carbon allotropes grafted with poly(pyrrole) derivatives via living radical polymerizations: electrochemical analysis of nano-composites for energy storage

Abstract

Carbon-based nanomaterials are key components in energy storage devices. Their functions can be tailored by adjusting or developing new synthesis pathways. In this study, two living radical polymerization techniques, an electrochemically-aided atom transfer radical polymerization (e-ATRP) and reversible addition chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), were applied for grafting of carbon allotropes such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) with a 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethyl methacrylate. The functionalized carbons were examined as polymerization initiators in the RAFT and e-ATRP synthesis. The FTIR and Raman spectroscopies were used to identify the reaction products at each step of preparation and for final composites. TEM imaging demonstrated that the morphology of composites made via RAFT and e-ATRP using the same carbon were not significantly different. The electrochemical analysis of grafted materials showed an improved gravimetric capacitance as compared to their individual components, revealing the synergy of a double-layer and pseudo-capacitance.