Supercapacitive behavior of polyaniline thin films deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates by microwave-assisted chemical route

Abstract

Simple and quick microwave assisted synthesis is used for the preparation of polyaniline (PANI) thin films on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. Aniline monomer and ammonium persulphate are used as precursors for the preparation of PANI thin films. The PANI thin films are characterized for their structural and morphological studies by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The wettability study is carried out using water contact angle meter. The supercapacitive behavior of PANI thin film electrode is studied in 1MH2SO4 electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The amorphous nature is observed from the XRD pattern. Morphological study reveals the well-dispersed agglomerated fibrils of PANI over the substrate. The PANI thin film shows hydrophilic nature with water contact angle of 29°. The maximum specific capacitance of PANI thin film electrode is found to be 546Fg−1 at the scan rate of 5mVs−1. The charge–discharge study of PANI thin film electrode carried out at 2mAcm−2 constant current density. The specific power, specific energy and coulombic efficiency of PANI thin film electrode are found to be 8.09kWkg−1, 38.2Whkg−1 and 89%, respectively from the charge–discharge curves.