The synthesis and properties of PANI/(TOCNF-SMWCNT) supercapacitor electrode materials by in situ polymerization

Aiming at the problems of the destroyed structure, the decreased capacitance retention rate and the bad cycle stability of polyaniline (PANI) during the continuous charge/discharge due to the irreversible deformation of PANI, this article proposes that the TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF), doping sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotube (SMWCNT) enhances its electrical conductivity, the microstructure of the polymer is controlled via in-situ polymerization of the aniline on the surface of TOCNF-SMWCNT, the composite electrode materials PANI/(TOCNF-SMWCNT) is synthesized. The composite electrode materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR, and Raman, and the structure-activity relationship of the enhanced electrical properties was also clarified. The test results showed that the specific capacitance of PANI/(TOCNF-SMWCNT) is 546.0 F/g at a current density of 1.0 A/g. In addition, the composite electrode exhibited good cyclic stability with retention of 82.4% even after 5000 cycles when the current density is 1.0 A/g.