Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of bilayers of poly(O-aminophenol)/ polypyrrole/lignin composites for enhanced charge storage in supercapacitors

Abstract

Using simple electrosynthesis methods a single and bilayer of conducting polymers, polypyrrole and poly(o-aminophenol) with biopolymer lignin hybrid composites were formed on gold electrodes. The specific capacitance of the single polymer-lignin composite value of 400 F/g obtained from galvanostatic charge-discharge experiment at 1 A/g is improved to a value of 514 F/g in the bilayer polymer-lignin composite systems. The charge capacity is also improved from 61 mAh/g to 121 mAh/g by forming a bilayer of conducting polymers.  Moreover, the charge retention during self-discharge is improved in the bilayer system.

KEY WORDS: Supercapacitors, Conducting polymers, Lignin

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2016, 30(1), 153-160. 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i1.15