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Electrochemical analysis of nanoporous carbons derived from activation of polypyrrole for stable supercapacitors

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Abstract

In this study, activated carbon was derived from polypyrrole (PPY) using a K2CO3 activating agent with varying mass ratios of the activating agent to PPY polymer (AA:PP), for the optimization of the hierarchical pore structure necessary for improved electrochemical performance. The textural study of the as-synthesized samples (AC-PPY) displayed an increase in the specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume with increase in the amount of the activating agent up to a threshold for AA:PP of 6:1. The increase in the SSA was due to the presence of hierarchical pores in the material structure for efficient ion penetration. Initial half-cell electrochemical tests performed on the different activated carbon samples with varying SSA revealed superior charge storage capability for the 6:1 sample in both negative and positive operating potentials. The highest current response value was obtained from the signatory EDLC-type cyclic voltammogram, along with the longest discharge time from the chronopotentiometry plot as a result of the lowest ion diffusion length for successful fast ion transport reported from the impedance spectroscopy analysis. A full symmetric device (AC-PPY-6) assembled from the best material using KNO3 neutral electrolyte yielded a specific capacitance of 140 F g−1, 12.4 Wh kg−1 energy density at 0.5 A g−1 gravimetric current. An energy density of 7.12 Wh kg−1 was still maintained at a specific current of 2 A g−1. Interestingly, after the ageing test to ascertain device stability, the device energy density increased back to 12.2 Wh kg−1 as a result of the creation of additional active pores within the nanostructured material for charge storage via voltage holding tests which also led to the enhancement in specific capacitance to 137.5 F g−1 at 2 A g−1. A 99.0% capacitance retention was recorded even after 10000 cycles at a moderate specific current of 2 A g−1. A substantial approach was used to elucidate the degradation phenomena from the device self-discharge profile, which showcased the device retaining up to 70% of its operating potential after 80 h (> 3 days) on open circuit. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of adopting the AC-PPY material in potential device for energy storage purposes.

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Acknowledgements

This work is based on the research supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, Republic of South Africa, and National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant No. 61056). Any opinion, finding, conclusion or recommendation expressed in this material is that of the author(s), and the NRF does not accept any liability in this regard. B. S. Moyo will like to acknowledge the SARChI Chair in Carbon for funding her Masters’ Degree project. D. Momodu will like to acknowledge financial support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for his postdoctoral study. Finally, the authors would like to specially thank Dr. Farshad Barzegar of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department for his inputs through the invaluable and fruitful discussions which contributed to the final preparation of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Institute of Applied Materials, SARCHI Chair in Carbon Technology and Materials, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa

    Belinda Moyo, Damilola Momodu, Oladepo Fasakin, Abdulhakeem Bello, Julien Dangbegnon & Ncholu Manyala

  2. Department of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria

    Oladepo Fasakin

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

    Abdulhakeem Bello

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  1. Belinda Moyo
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  2. Damilola Momodu
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  4. Abdulhakeem Bello
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Correspondence to Ncholu Manyala.

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Moyo, B., Momodu, D., Fasakin, O. et al. Electrochemical analysis of nanoporous carbons derived from activation of polypyrrole for stable supercapacitors. J Mater Sci 53, 5229–5241 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1911-y

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