Highly Stable Supercapacitors Enabled by a New Conducting Polymer Complex PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x)

• Published in: ChemSusChem 2023-03, Vol.16 (6), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Nie, Shisong, Li, Zongyu, Su, Zhen, Jin, Yingzhi, Song, Haijun, Zheng, Haolan, Song, Jiaxing, Hu, Lin, Yin, Xinxing, Xu, Zhiguang, Yao, Yuyuan, Wang, Hao, Li, Zaifang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capacitance; Commercialization; Conducting polymers; electrolyte-free; ionic liquids; Polystyrene resins; Polyvinyl alcohol; Stability; Sulfuric acid; Supercapacitors; Zinc
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202202208

Herein, a novel conducting polymer complex PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x) [denoted as S‐PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x), where PEDOT is poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) and PSS is poly(styrene sulfonate)], is fabricated with the assistance of zinc di[bis(trifluoromenthylsulfonyl) imide][Zn(TFSI)2] (CFE). The introduction of CF3SO2− group is expected to bring better stability of PEDOT:CF3SO2 than PEDOT:PSS due to its strong Coulomb force. Electrochemical measurement shows that a high specific capacitance of 194 F cm−3 was achieved from the novel complex S‐PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x), the highest value reported so far. An all‐solid‐state supercapacitor assembly with a structure of S‐PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x)/H2SO4:polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/S‐PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x) shows a record specific capacitance of 70.9 F cm−3 and a maximum energy density of 6.02 mWh cm−3 at a power density of 397 mW cm−3. This supercapacitor device demonstrates excellent electrochemical stability with a capacitance retention rate of 98 % after 10 000 cycles and extreme air stability of 96 % capacitance retention rate after 10 000 cycles, even if the device is exposed to air over 2880 h, much better than that of PEDOT:PSS based supercapacitors. Excellent capacitance can be achieved from PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x) electrode under electrolyte‐free conditions. This work provides a novel method for high performance stable supercapacitors and may pave the way for the commercialization of PEDOT based supercapacitors. Stable in air: A novel conducting polymer complex PEDOT:CF3SO2(x)PSS(1‐x) has been prepared with the highest capacitance value of 194 F cm−3. Supercapacitors based on this complex demonstrate a record capacitance of 70.9 F cm−3, a maximum energy density of 6.02 mWh cm−3, as well as excellent electrochemical stability and air stability.