Recent Progress on Graphene/Polyaniline Composites for High-performance Supercapacitors

Effect of Graphene Oxide Addition on the Properties of Electrochemically Synthesized Polyaniline-Graphene Oxide Films

In this work, the electrochemical synthesis of PANI and GO-modified PANI was performed using cyclic voltammetry, varying the amount of GO, 1 mg (PG1), 5 mg (PG5), and 10 mg (PG10) to analyze the effect of the amount of GO on the composite. PANI, PG1, PG5, and PG10 materials were characterized using optical microscopy, SEM, UV-vis, FTIR, Raman, and wettability. A stability test was also carried out by putting the materials to 500 oxidation-reduction cycles using cyclic voltammetry. The synthesis method allowed GO in PANI to be added through a chemical interaction between the two compounds. It was also found that the addition of GO led to an improvement in the hydrophilic character of the composite, which would lead to an improvement in the diffusion of reagents/species when the composites are used in aqueous media processes. The results of the stability test showed that the PG10 material presented a lower % loss of specific capacitance and energy compared with the other materials, which indicates that the GO presence (in the amount specified) improves the stability of the PANI. The PG10 material showed favorable and promising conditions for its use in fuel cell and battery processes.

Polyaniline-graphene based composites electrode materials in supercapacitor: synthesis, performance and prospects

Supercapacitors (SCs) have become one of the most popular energy-storage devices for high power density and fast charging/discharging capability. Polyaniline is a class of conductive polymer materials with ultra-high specific capacitance, and the excellent mechanical properties will play a key role in the research of flexible SCs. The synergistic effect between polyaniline and graphene is often used to overcome their respective inherent shortcomings, thus the high-performance polyaniline-graphene based nanocomposite electrode materials can be prepared. The development of graphene-polyaniline nanocomposites as electrode materials for SCs depends on their excellent microstructure design. However, it is still difficult to seek a balance between graphene performance and functionalization to improve the weak interfacial interaction between graphene and polyaniline. In this manuscript, the latest preparation methods, research progress and research results of graphene-polyaniline nanocomposites on SCs are reviewed, and the optimization of electrode structures and performances is discussed. Finally, the prospect of graphene-polyaniline composites is expected.

Functional Materials Made by Combining Hydrogels (Cross-Linked Polyacrylamides) and Conducting Polymers (Polyanilines)-A Critical Review

Hydrogels made of cross-linked polyacrlyamides (cPAM) and conducting materials made of polyanilines (PANIs) are both the most widely used materials in each category. This is due to their accessible monomers, easy synthesis and excellent properties. Therefore, the combination of these materials produces composites which show enhanced properties and also synergy between the cPAM properties (e.g., elasticity) and those of PANIs (e.g., conductivity). The most common way to produce the composites is to form the gel by radical polymerization (usually by redox initiators) then incorporate the PANIs into the network by oxidative polymerization of anilines. It is often claimed that the product is a semi-interpenetrated network (s-IPN) made of linear PANIs penetrating the cPAM network. However, there is evidence that the nanopores of the hydrogel become filled with PANIs nanoparticles, producing a composite. On the other hand, swelling the cPAM in true solutions of PANIs macromolecules renders s-IPN with different properties. Technological applications of the composites have been developed, such as photothermal (PTA)/electromechanical actuators, supercapacitors, movement/pressure sensors, etc. PTA devices rely on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (light, microwaves, radiofrequency) by PANIs, which heats up the composite, triggering the phase transition of a thermosensitive cPAM. Therefore, the synergy of properties of both polymers is beneficial.

Graphene oxide/polyaniline-based microwave split-ring resonator: A versatile platform towards ammonia sensing

Ammonia gas sensors have always received significant attention as robust platforms for emission control, food safety, and monitoring human exhaled breath for the early diagnosis of diseases such as dysfunction of the kidney and liver. This study explores the development of a microwave-based split-ring resonator (SRR) sensor with enhanced sensitivity to detect ammonia gas at low concentrations. The sensor is based on a nanocomposite fabricated by incorporating 10 wt% of graphene oxide (GO) into polyaniline (PANI) via the in-situ polymerization of aniline monomers over the surface of the GO sheets. The addition of GO to PANI results in a high sensitivity of 0.038 dB ppm^-1 for low concentrations (1-25 ppm) and 0.0045 dB ppm^-1 for high concentrations (> 25 ppm) of ammonia gas, in a 150-400 s time interval at room temperature. The prepared sensor can selectively sense ammonia gas in the presence of other higher concentrations of hazardous gases and a wide range of relative humidity levels (15-90%). The response signal is repeatable after 30 days with less than 0.32% deviation. The developed low-cost and robust sensor has the potential to monitor ammonia gas in various applications, including medical, environmental, food, and agricultural sectors.

Two-Dimensional CVD-Graphene/Polyaniline Supercapacitors: Synthesis Strategy and Electrochemical Operation

Nanocomposites of graphene materials and conducting polymers have been extensively studied as promising materials for electrodes of supercapacitors. Here, we present a graphene/polyaniline heterostructure consisting of a CVD-graphene and polyaniline monolayer and its electrochemical operation in a supercapacitor. The synthesis employs functionalization of graphene by p-phenylene sulfonic groups and oxidative polymerization of anilinium by ammonium persulfate under reaction conditions, providing no bulk polyaniline. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy showed the selective formation of polyaniline on the graphene. In situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry (both in a microdroplet setup) confirm the reversibility of polyaniline redox transitions and graphene electrochemical doping. After an increase within the initial 200 cycles due to the formation of benzoquinone-hydroquinone defects in polyaniline, the specific areal capacitance remained for 2400 cycles with ±1% retention at 21.2 μF cm^-2, one order of magnitude higher than the capacitance of pristine graphene.

Progress in polymers and polymer composites used as efficient materials for EMI shielding

The explosive progress of electronic devices and communication systems results in the production of undesirable electromagnetic pollution, known as electromagnetic interference. The accumulation of electromagnetic radiation in space results in the malfunction of commercial and military electronic appliances, and it may have a negative impact on human health. Thus, the shielding of undesirable electromagnetic interference has become a serious concern of the modern society, and has been a very perspective field of research and development. This paper provides detailed insight into current trends in the advancement of various polymer-based materials with the effects of electromagnetic interference shielding. First, the theoretical aspects of shielding are outlined. Then, the comprehensive description of the structure, morphology and functionalization of the intrinsic conductive polymers, polymers filled with the different types of inorganic and organic fillers, as well as multifunctional polymer architectures are provided with respect to their conductive, dielectric, magnetic and shielding characteristics.

Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline Nanocomposites Used in Anticorrosive Coatings for Environmental Protection

In recent years, metal corrosion causes serious threats to the economy of the world and the living environment. Hence, it is very important to seek non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials with metal anti-corrosion properties for the sustainable development of society. The barrier properties of graphene oxide (GO) and the special electrochemical property of polyaniline (PANI) can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of metals. Herein, we developed an in-situ polymerization method to prepare graphene oxide/polyaniline (GO/PANI) nanocomposites with unique anti-corrosion properties. The obtained GO/PANI nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermalgravimetric analysis, UV–vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The as-prepared composite materials were uniformly dispersed in epoxy resin to prepare anticorrosive coatings and coated on the surface of steel. The anti-corrosion performance of the coatings was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization technique. The EIS results showed that the total impedance of epoxy/GO/PANI coatings is greater than epoxy/PANII coatings, and the impedance module value can reach 8.67 × 108 Ω·cm2. In general, it is concluded that the anti-corrosion performance of GO/PANI coating is significantly higher than PANI coating and pure GO coating.

Quasi-Monocrystalline Graphene Crystallization on Liquid Copper Matrix

To access the properties of theoretical graphene, it is crucial to manufacture layers with a defect-free structure. The imperfections of the structure are the cause of deterioration in both electrical and mechanical properties. Among the most commonly occurring crystalline defects, there are grain boundaries and overlapping zones. Hence, perfect graphene shall be monocrystalline, which is difficult and expensive to obtain. An alternative to monocrystalline structure is a quasi-monocrystalline graphene with low angle-type boundaries without the local overlapping of neighboring flakes. The purpose of this work was to identify factors that directly affect the structure of graphene grown on a surface of a liquid metal. In the article the growth of graphene on a liquid copper is presented. Nucleating graphene flakes are able to move with three degrees of freedom creating low-angle type boundaries when they attach to one another. The structure of graphene grown with the use of this method is almost free of overlapping zones. In addition, the article presents the influence of impurities on the amount of crystallization nuclei formed, and thus the possibility to order the structure, creating a quasi-monocrystalline layer.

Application Progress of Polyaniline, Polypyrrole and Polythiophene in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

With the urgent requirement for high-performance rechargeable Li-S batteries, besides various carbon materials and metal compounds, lots of conducting polymers have been developed and used as components in Li-S batteries. In this review, the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and polythiophene (PTh) is introduced briefly. Then, the application progress of the three conducting polymers is summarized according to the function in Li-S batteries, including coating layers, conductive hosts, sulfur-containing compounds, separator modifier/functional interlayer, binder and current collector. Finally, according to the current problems of conducting polymers, some practical strategies and potential research directions are put forward. We expect that this review will provide novel design ideas to develop conducting polymer-containing high-performance Li-S batteries.

Fabrication of Eco-Friendly Solid-State Symmetric Ultracapacitor Device Based on Co-Doped PANI/GO Composite

An eco-friendly solid-state symmetric ultracapacitor (Uc) device was fabricated using a polyaniline graphene oxide composite co-doped with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) or camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), as electrode material utilizing gold sheets as current collectors. The device showed specific capacitance value of 150 F/g at 1 A/g current density, with a capacitance retention value of 93.33% at higher current density (10 A/g), indicating a high rate capability. An energy density of 15.30 Whkg⁻¹ with a power density of 1716 Wkg⁻¹ was obtained at the current density of 1 A/g. The values of areal capacitance, power density, and energy density, achieved at the current density of 5 mAcm⁻², were 97.38 mFcm⁻², 9.93 mWhcm⁻², and 1.1 Wcm⁻², respectively. Additionally, the device showed very low solution and charge transfer resistance (0.885 Ω and 0.475 Ω, respectively). A device was also fabricated utilizing copper as current collector; however, a lower value of specific capacitance (82 F/g) was observed in this case.