Flexible polypyrrolone-based microporous carbon nanofibers for high-performance supercapacitors
Shuwu Liu1, Yue Zeng1, Hong Fang1
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University Nanchang Jiangxi 330022 China guoqiaohui@jxnu.edu.cn +86-791-8812-0536 +86-791-8812-0389.
RSC Advances
|May 11, 2022
Summary
Flexible polypyrrolone/polyimide carbon nanofibers offer a promising solution for wearable supercapacitors. These novel materials exhibit excellent flexibility and high capacitance, outperforming traditional options.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Growing demand for flexible electronics necessitates advanced materials for energy storage.
- Carbon nanofibers are crucial for high-performance supercapacitors, but flexibility remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a flexible carbon nanofiber membrane for wearable supercapacitors.
- To investigate the electrochemical performance of polypyrrolone/polyimide composite nanofibers.
Main Methods:
- Facile electrospinning and carbonization process to create polypyrrolone (BBB)/polyimide (PI) composite nanofiber membranes (PBPICF).
- Characterization of the PBPICF membrane's structure, mechanical properties, and flexibility.
- Electrochemical testing in 6 M KOH aqueous solution to evaluate specific capacitance, power density, and cycling stability.
Main Results:
- PBPICF membranes possess a 3D porous, self-standing structure with excellent mechanical performance and flexibility.
- PBPICF-65-35 achieved a high specific capacitance of 172.44 F g-1, double that of commercial polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers.
- Demonstrated good power density (90 W kg-1), energy density (19.4 W h kg-1), and retained 96% capacitance after 10,000 cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed PBPICFs are highly flexible and mechanically robust, suitable for arbitrary bending and folding.
- These PBPICFs represent a promising binder-free electrode material for high-performance wearable supercapacitors.
- The facile preparation method and superior electrochemical performance highlight the potential of BBB/PI composite nanofibers.
