Effect of the integration of tin oxide/tin sulphide nanoparticles on the properties of polythiophene films for supercapacitor applications

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry Vol. 54; no. 10; pp. 2219 - 2240
• Main Author: Xavier, Joseph Raj
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Capacitance; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Electrons; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Physical Chemistry; Polythiophene; Research Article; Specific energy; Structural stability; Sulfides; Supercapacitors; Surface stability; Synergistic effect; Tin; Tin dioxide; Tin disulfide; Tin oxides; Supercapacitor; Specific capacitance; Electrochemical performance; Nanocomposite; Energy storage
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10800-024-02109-9

Polythiophene (PTh) was modified with tin oxide (SnO
2
) and tin sulphide (SnS
2
) nanoparticles to enhance its electrochemical performance. The resulting PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
material was characterized to understand its surface influence, crystalline structure, and electrochemical behavior, and the results were compared with those of pristine PTh. The study revealed that surface modification improved the structural stability of PTh while maintaining its specific capacitance. Electrochemical properties were assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AC impedance techniques in a 3 M KOH electrolyte, yielding specific capacitances of 226 F g
− 1
for PTh, 571 F g
− 1
for PTh/SnO
2
, 625 F g
− 1
for PTh/SnS
2
, and 946 F g
− 1
for PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
at 5 A g
− 1
. This enhancement was attributed to the synergistic effect of the Sn
4+
ions in the PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
electrode material. In the KOH electrolyte, the PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
electrode demonstrated an average specific energy and specific power density of 681 Wh kg
− 1
and 5273 W kg
− 1
, respectively. Remarkably, only 7% of the initial capacitance was lost after 10,000 cycles. The resulting PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
nanocomposite exhibited stable and porous layered structures, indicating its potential for supercapacitor applications. The integration of SnO
2
and SnS
2
nanoparticles enhances the structural stability of polythiophene films. This improved stability ensures that the films can maintain their integrity and functionality over multiple charge-discharge cycles, leading to a longer lifespan in supercapacitor devices. This study demonstrated that PTh/SnO
2
/SnS
2
nanomaterials offer good structural stability and electrochemical performance, making them promising materials for supercapacitors.
Graphical abstract