Binder-free polypyrrole/fluorinated graphene nanocomposite hydrogel as a novel electrode material for highly efficient supercapacitors
Anjli Gupta, Silki Sardana, Sajjan Dahiya, R. Punia, A.S. Maan, Kuldeep Singh, Rahul Tripathi, Anil Ohlan
Abstract
Nowadays, many scientific communities and researchers are disparate towards the development of new and advanced energy storage/conversion devices to fulfill the increasing energy demands. Supercapacitors have considered as attractive energy storage devices because of their tremendous features. But their low conductivity creates a barrier to their practical applications, which is a consequence of the presence of binder in the formation of electrode material. Herein, a binder-free flexible supercapacitor electrode based on polypyrrole/fluorinated graphene (PFG) nanocomposite hydrogel on carbon cloth has been designed using in-situ oxidative polymerization. The resultant composite hydrogel possessed excellent electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 1372 F/g in 1 M H2SO4 at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The maximum specific energy and specific power were estimated to be 20.13 Wh/kg and 176 W/kg, respectively. The outstanding electrochemical performance may be attributed to the combined effect of polypyrrole, fluorinated graphene as well as porous morphology of hydrogel. The resultant flexible and binder-free supercapacitor electrode with outstanding electrochemical performance will play a significant role in the field of wearable electronics, touch screens, electronic papers and roll up displays.