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TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Conductive Polymers in Supercapacitors: Innovations and Appli-

cations

Conductive polymers (CPs) have emerged as a significant material Schematic diagram of asymmetric
in the development of supercapacitors due to their unique proper- supercapacitors based on conducting
ties and potential applications in the market. polymers. Taken from Energy Science
& Engineering.

Based on their doping process, there
are two types of Conductive polymers
(CPs): p-type and n-type. These CPs
operate within distinct potential ranges
determined by their electronic charac-
teristics.
This concept uses the positive poten-
tial window of p-type polymers along-
side the comparatively negative poten-
tial window of n-type derivatives. This
approach improves the supercapaci-
tor’s maximum withstanding voltage
limits (cell working potential window),
enhancing its specific power density.

upercapacitors, or ultracapac- polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS), Enhancing CPs with Composite Mate-
itors, have high power den- possess intrinsic electrical conductiv- rials for Flexible Supercapacitors
sity, rapid charge/discharge ity due to their conjugated backbone (A) SEM of the PAn/MWCNT (Multi-
rates, and long cycle life, mak- structure, which allows for delocaliza- walled carbon nanotubes) composite
ing them suitable for various tion of π-electrons. (inset photograph showing that the
applications. This structure facilitates electronic
Driven by the demand for flexible, conduction and supports reversible re-
lightweight, and durable energy stor- dox reactions, enabling high pseudo-
age solutions, the market for conduc- capacitance, which is crucial for ener-
tive polymer-based supercapacitors gy storage applications and polymers
is expanding. These supercapacitors supercapacitors.
find applications in portable electronic Also, these lightweight, flexible poly-
devices, wearable technology, electric mers can be processed into various supercapacitor is transparent and
vehicles, and renewable energy sys- forms, enhancing their applicability in flexible). (B) Specific capacitance for
tems. For example, integrating flexible flexible and wearable electronics. a supercapacitor based on the PAn/
supercapacitors into textiles enables MWCNT measured at various bent
the development of energy-harvesting Enhancing Conductivity with Compos- angles. Taken from Energy Science &
garments that can power small elec- ites Engineering.
tronic devices. Despite the advantages of conductive
Conductive Polymers: The Building polymers, their poor cycle stability
Blocks often restricts their practical use. To
address this issue, researchers have
Conductive polymers, such as poly- developed composite electrodes that
aniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy), and combine CPs with carbon materials or
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) metal oxides.

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June 2024