In situ synthesis of cabbage like polyaniline@hydroquinone nanocomposites and electrochemical capacitance investigations

Abstract

ABSTRACTA Cabbage like polyaniline@hydroquinone composite microsphere was synthesized using in situ polymerization and the electrochemical performance was investigated. The core template, p‐benzoquinone, is demonstrated working as an oxidizing agent for the in situ polymerization of PANI, and to be reduced to 1, 4‐hydroquinone after reaction. The morphology and microstructure of samples were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer, thermo gravimetric, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The cyclic voltammetry, impedance and galvanostatic charge/discharge analysis demonstrates that PANI contributes electronic conductive channels for hydroquinone, and hydroquinone works as a pseudocapacitance component. The prepared PANI@hydroquinone nanocomposite exhibits brilliant electrochemical properties of a specific capacitance of 126.0 F g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1 and enhanced stability of about 85.1% of initial capacitance retained after 500 cycles scanning at a current density of 1 A g−1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42290.