Studies on conducting polymer and conducting polymerinorganic composite electrodes prepared via a new cathodic polymerization method

Nikhilendra Singh, Purdue University

Abstract

A novel approach for the electrodeposition of conducting polymers and conducting polymer-inorganic composite materials is presented. The approach shows that conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) can be electrodeposited by the application of a cathodic bias that generates an oxidizing agent, NO+, via the in-situ reduction of nitrate anions. This new cathodic polymerization method allows for the deposition of PPy and PEDOT as three dimensional, porous films composed of spherical polymer particles. The method is also suitable for the co-deposition of inorganic species producing conducting polymer-inorganic composite electrodes. Such composites are used as high surface area electrodes in Li-ion batteries, electrochemical hydrogen evolution and in the development of various other conducting polymer-inorganic composite electrodes. New Sn-PPy and Sb-PPy composite electrodes where Sn and Sb nanoparticles are well dispersed among the PPy framework are reported. These structures allow for decreased stress during expansion and contraction of the active material (Sn, Sb) during the alloying and de-alloying processes of a Li-ion battery anode, significantly alleviating the loss of active material due to pulverization processes. The new electrochemical synthesis mechanism allows for the fabrication of Sn-PPy and Sb-PPy composite electrodes directly from a conducting substrate and eliminates the use of binding materials and conducting carbon used in modern battery anodes, which significantly simplifies their fabrication procedures. Platinum (Pt) has long been identified as the most efficient catalyst for electrochemical water splitting, while nickel (Ni) is a cheaper, though less efficient alternative to Pt. A new morphology of PPy attained via the aforementioned cathodic deposition method allows for the use of minimal quantities of Pt and Ni dispersed over a very high surface area PPy substrate. These composite electrodes show significantly improved performance over bulk Pt or Ni electrodes in electrochemical hydrogen evolution applications. A variety of conducting polymer-inorganic composite materials are considered, showing that the obtained results are not limited to the mentioned inorganic materials and polymers. Various conducting polymer-inorganic composite electrodes with silver (Ag), gold (Au) and PEDOT are also reported and discussed in detail. The results presented herein open new pathways into the exploration, fabrication and applications of conducting polymer and conducting polymer-based inorganic composites in the field of energy storage and electrocatalysis.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Choi, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Organic chemistry|Polymer chemistry|Materials science

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