Electrospun Benzimidazole-Based Polyimide Membrane for Supercapacitor Applications.
Yu-Hsiang Lu1, Yen-Zen Wang1, Ming-Ying Tsai2
1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, No. 123, Sec. 3, University Road, Douliou 64002, Taiwan.
Membranes
|October 27, 2022
Summary
A novel benzimidazole-based polyimide (BI-PI) membrane was developed for supercapacitors. This high-performance separator offers enhanced thermal stability, mechanical strength, and superior capacitance retention compared to commercial options.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing advanced materials for energy storage is crucial.
- Polyimides offer excellent thermal and mechanical properties.
- Efficient separators are key to supercapacitor performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a benzimidazole-based polyimide (BI-PI) membrane.
- To evaluate the BI-PI membrane's potential as a separator in supercapacitors.
- To investigate the effect of hot-pressing on membrane properties.
Main Methods:
- One-step synthesis of benzimidazole-containing diamine monomer.
- Two-step polycondensation and thermal imidization to form BI-PI.
- Electrospinning and hot-pressing to fabricate BI-PI membranes.
- Assembly of membranes into supercapacitors with biochar electrodes.
Main Results:
- BI-PI polymer exhibited high thermal stability (Td5% = 527 °C).
- Hot-pressing improved pore uniformity and mechanical properties (783 MPa modulus, 34.8 MPa strength).
- Supercapacitors with BI-PI separators showed high specific capacitance (121 F/g) and retention (77%), outperforming commercial cellulose separators.
Conclusions:
- The developed BI-PI membrane demonstrates excellent thermal and mechanical stability.
- Hot-pressed BI-PI membranes are effective separators for high-performance supercapacitors.
- BI-PI membranes offer a promising alternative to conventional separators in energy storage devices.
