Influence of counterion charge on the electrochemistry and impedance of polypyrrole

Abstract

Polypyrroles doped with multiply charged anions are becoming increasingly important in a wide range of energy, environmental and biomedical applications. The increased counterion charge promotes anion binding and retention and can significantly increase stability and performance. The electrochemical properties of polypyrrole films prepared galvanostatically in Na2SO4 (PPySO4) where found to be similar those of PPyClO4 prepared in NaClO4, although there was significantly more anion retention during potential cycling. In contrast, PPyPO4 films prepared in Na3PO4 under the same conditions were over-oxidised and more dense, which is beneficial for corrosion protection and electroanalysis. Paradoxically, the low mobility of SO42− counterions results in more facile charging and discharging of the film, as observed with large and polymeric counterions. This can create significant benefits in applications that require fast cycling, such as supercapacitors and high-rate batteries. These conclusions are corroborated by electrochemical impedance measurements in various aqueous electrolytes. Ionic conductivity was dominated by anion transport for both PPyClO4 and PPySO4, whilst PPyPO4 was predominantly a cation conductor.