NANOCOMPOSITE ELECTRODES CONSISTING OF 3DOM CARBON WITH BIMODAL POROUS STRUCTURE AND CONDUCTING POLYMERS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CAPACITORS

Abstract

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbon with mesoporous walls was prepared by the colloidal crystal templating method using polystyrene (PS) and silica particles. Colloidal crystals consisting of monodispersed PS sphere (204 nm diameter) and silica particles (4–6 nm) were carbonized in Ar , and the silica was removed by etching in HF, and then 3DOM carbon with bimodal pore structure was obtained. Conducting polymers of polyaniline (PAn) and polypyrrole (PPy) were electrochemically deposited on the internal surface of macropores in 3DOM carbons. The mesopores were not closed after the deposition of the polymers. The composites were utilized as electrodes for electrochemical capacitors. The specific capacitances of prepared carbon– PAn and carbon– PPy composites were found to be 237 and 152 F g-1, respectively. The incorporation of the conducting polymers dramatically increased the charge storage capacities of the 3DOM carbon electrodes.