Polypyrrole (PPy) have been extensively studied because of their low cost, easy production, good conductivity and controlled doping/de-doping properties as well as extensive applications in various areas such as energy storage, sensors, and electronic devices ^{1, 2}. A detailed study of the effects of different electropolymerization conditions on the supercapacitive properties of polypyrrole (ppy) films doped using different dopants deposited on stainless steel was reported. The resulting thin films have been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical properties of PPy thin films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electorochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge. The results showed that the different electrodeposition operating conditions of synthesis and the type of dopant and the electrolyte used significantly affect the supercapacitive properties of PPy thin films. Thus, these results provide a useful orientation for the use of optimized electrodeposition modes for the growth of PPy thin films to be applied as electrode material in supercapacitors and achieved a specific capacitance of 266 F/g for amperometric deposited PPy thin film doped with 0.03 M dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) and using 0.1 M H₂SO₄ as an electrolyte.

References

1. Cai, Z.; Xiong, H.; Zhu, Z.; Huang, H.; Li, L.; Huang, Y.; Yu, X., Electrochemical synthesis of graphene/polypyrrole nanotube composites for multifunctional applications. 2017, Synthetic Metals 227, 100-105.
2. Dubal, D. P.; Lee, S. H.; Kim, J. G.; Kim, W. B.; Lokhande, C. D., Porous polypyrrole clusters prepared by electropolymerization for a high performance supercapacitor. 2012, Journal of Materials Chemistry 22, 3044-3052.

Figure 1: Cyclic voltammetry of PPy doped by DBSA and a schematic diagram of supercapacitor components