Stability studies of polypyrole- derived carbon based symmetric supercapacitor via potentiostatic floating test

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2016-09, Vol.213, p.107-114
• Main Authors: Bello, A., Barzegar, F., Madito, M.J., Momodu, D.Y., Khaleed, A.A., Masikhwa, T.M., Dangbegnon, J.K., Manyala, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: activated carbon; aqueous electrolyte; Polypyrole; potentiostatic floating; supercapacitor
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.06.151

•Synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from the carbonisation of polypyrole (PPY).•KOH activation of the AC to produce porous carbons.•Symmetric device based on the porous AC exhibit good electrochemical performance.•Supercapacitor show excellent stability based on potentiostatic floating test for 200h. This work present the synthesis and electrochemical performance of mesoporous carbon material derived from the activation and carbonisation of polypyrole (PPY). Electrochemical performance of the PPY derived carbon was investigated in a two electrode cell in a 6M KOH alkaline electrolyte. The symmetric device was subjected to floating test (voltage holding) for ∼200h at a voltage of 1.2V and the specific capacitance as well as the resistance of device was determined after every 10h of floating. The device exhibited a specific capacitance of 179Fg−1 at 0.5Ag−1 and 158Fg−1 at 10Ag−1. In addition, after floating for ∼120h the resistance was constant with a very slow decrease in capacitance. Beyond ∼120h, a quick decrease in capacitance was observed with a corresponding increase in resistance, indicating a possible deterioration to the electrodes. Remarkably, at the end of floating, the specific capacitance calculated at 5Ag−1 was 120Fg−1 (∼25% decay in capacitance from the initial value 160.5Fg−1 at 5Ag−1) suggesting good stability of the device over a long period of time (∼8 days).