Polyaniline and nano-carbon composite supercapacitors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: ATI Electronics
Abstract
This project aims to explore the enhanced energy storage capability of nano composite materials in supercapacitor applications. Pseudocapacitive polymer composites have been used in the past but they suffer from mechanical failure due to volume expansion and shrinkage during charge cycles. We propose a polymer/nano-carbon composite that will allow the nano-carbon scaffold to provide enhanced mechanical integrity and electron transfer kinetics. Polyaniline (PANI), due to its low cost, scalability of synthesis, unique chemistry, and high theoretical capacitance is the chosen conducting polymer for this project. Combining PANI with various carbons, such as carbon felt, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon fibres has been shown to increase the materials electrochemical stability. This research aims build on this composite architecture to construct novel electrode material designs based on carbon/conducting polymer composites, via chemical and electrochemical fabrication techniques.
Publications
Iurchenkova A
(2021)
A complex study of the dependence of the reduced graphite oxide electrochemical behavior on the annealing temperature and the type of electrolyte
in Electrochimica Acta
Stott A
(2020)
Exceptional rate capability from carbon-encapsulated polyaniline supercapacitor electrodes
in ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
Stott A
(2022)
Exploring the underlying kinetics of electrodeposited PANI-CNT composite using distribution of relaxation times
in Electrochimica Acta
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509772/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
| 1949806 | Studentship | EP/N509772/1 | 02/07/2017 | 30/03/2021 | Ashveer Stott |
| Description | It has been discovered that the high power performance of PANI composites can be greatly improved by using our unique fabrication method. This is the result of improved research methods, which may lead to new knowledge generated. Some of the major drawbacks of PANI material were overcome using these modified fabrication methods. Additionally, the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) was utilised for the first time to characterise a composite pseudocapacitive material and yielded valuable insights. Throughout this work, important new collaborations have been forming in association with Surrey University. Including, University of Sao Paulo, Yamagata University, and Novosibirsk State University. Attending the electrochemical workshop has provided training and skills in areas previously unknown to our department. This knowledge and skills have propagated through the facility resulting in new techniques becoming available. |
| Exploitation Route | Others can use these techniques to build on these performance improvements and utilise these types of electrodes in more advanced devices. The main area for improvement would be to investigate the fabrication of two-electrode devices. Additionally, further utilisation of DRT would be useful for the characterisation of the myriad of material systems being investigated. |
| Sectors | Electronics Energy Transport |
| Description | Collaboration with Novosibirsk state University |
| Organisation | Novosibirsk State University |
| Country | Russian Federation |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributions include, establishing collaboration, expertise, equipment and facilities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions include, expertise and intellectual input. |
| Impact | Collaboration has so far resulted in a Royal society travel program, as well as a poster presentation at ISEECap conference. This is a multi-disciplinary as it requires intellectual and experimental input from chemistry, electrochemistry, and microscopy experts. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Research collaboration with University of Sao Paulo |
| Organisation | Universidade de São Paulo |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributions include equipment and facilities, measurement and composite fabrication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions include the exchange of knowledge and material fabrication. |
| Impact | Poster presentation at ISEECap, Nantes France. This collaboration is multi-disciplinary as it requires skills and knowledge in carbon nanotube growth and characterisation, electrochemistry, and microscopy. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Research exchange with Yamagata University |
| Organisation | University of Yamagata |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributions include the exchange of electrochemical knowledge and processes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions include the exchange of electronic knowledge, materials, use of equipment/lab facilities. |
| Impact | This exchange has resulted in a strong collaboration based in fabrication of composite supercapacitor materials. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | General electrochemistry workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Over a five day period approximately 30 people attended the electrochemistry winter school, where professional electrochemists from academia and industry delivered lectures and practicals to disseminate fundamental electrochemical knowledge. In addition, there was significant discussion amongst all parties regarding topics relevant to electrochemical research. This facilitated the exchange of knowledge between all parties. The event helped inform the research direction of the grant award. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/study-at-our-electrochemistry-summer-and-winter-schools/ |
| Description | ISEECap conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented two poster presentations to a conference of approximately 100 electrochemical practitioners specifically focused on supercapacitor materials. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Seminar at Yamagata University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivered a short seminar to all members of a research department, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and professors. This initiated a lasting collaborating in electrochemical activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | University of Surrey doctoral college conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivered an oral presentation to several doctoral students, from various departments, at the University of Surrey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |