Hierarchical carbon nanopetal/polypyrrole nanocomposite electrodes with brush-like architecture for supercapacitors

Abstract

Hierarchical 3D nanocomposite electrodes with tube brush-like morphology are synthesized by electrochemically depositing polypyrrole (PPY) on carbon nanopetal (CNP) coated carbon fibers (CFs). Initially CNPs are synthesized on CF substrate by chemical vapour deposition. The CNPs synthesized on CF (CNPCF) are further used as an electrically conducting large surface area bearing template for the electropolymerization of PPY in order to fabricate CNPCF–PPY nanocomposite electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs). The CF in CNPCF–PPY nanocomposite functions as (i) a mechanical support for the CNPs, (ii) a current collector for the SC cell and also (iii) to prevent the agglomeration of CNPs within the CNPCF–PPY nanocomposite. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to examine the surface morphology of CNPCF–PPY nanocomposites. The chemical structure of the nanocomposites is analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to understand the chemical bonding states of the hierarchical CNPCF–PPY nanocomposites. The electrochemical properties of symmetric type CNPCF–PPY SC cells are examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The hierarchical CNPCF–PPY SC exhibits a maximum gravimetric capacitance of 280.4 F g⁻¹ and an area specific capacitance of 210.3 mF cm⁻² at a current density of 0.42 mA cm⁻². The CNPCF–PPY SC cell exhibits good cycling stability of more than 5000 cycles. The present study proclaims the development of a novel lightweight SC with high-performance.