Solid polyaniline dendrites consisting of high aspect ratio branches self-assembled using sodium lauryl sulfonate as soft templates: Synthesis and electrochemical performance

Abstract

Multi-dimensional (MD) structures comprised of one-dimensional (1D) conductive building blocks are one of key components to develop micro-/nano-sized electronics, sensors, and energy storage devices. Some progresses have been made to fabricate polyaniline (PANI) dendritic or branch-like structures in the solid-state chemical process or by the use of organic acids or surfactant gel at low temperatures. Nevertheless, it remains a difficult challenge for obtaining PANI dendrites with solid form, regular morphology, and high aspect ratio branches. With sodium lauryl sulfonate (SLS) as the soft template, PANI dendrites were readily synthesized in an undisturbed and low acid environment. The effects of hydrochloric acid concentration and SLS dosage on the resulting PANI structures were carefully investigated. Particular mechanistic researches illuminate that the dendrites are prepared by the bottom-up hierarchical assembly behavior, in which 1D branches grow and aggregate into much more orderly architecture spontaneously. Electrochemical performances of the prepared PANI dendritic structures were carried out in a 1.0 M H2SO4 electrolyte. And the specific capacitance was 204 F g−1, when the current density was 0.50 A g−1. Employing PANI dendrites as an example, herein, the displayed method provides a discernment to a strategy of structure and performances for conducting polymers.