Flexible electrodes based on polypyrrole/manganese dioxide/polypropylene fibrous membrane composite for supercapacitor

The composites of polypyrrole/manganese dioxide/polypropylene fibrous films (PPy/MnO₂/PPF) have been prepared in situ through chemical oxidation polymerization by using the mixture of FeCl₃·6H₂O and MnO₂ adsorbed on PPF as oxidant in the atmosphere of pyrrole vapor at room temperature. The morphologies and structures of the composites are investigated by using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The properties of the capacitor cells assembled by the composites of PPy/MnO₂/PPF are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The results reveal that the morphologies, conductivities and capacitance performance of the composites are influenced strongly by the content of MnO₂ in the solution of oxidant. The capacitors assembled by PPy/MnO₂/PPF exhibit the property of quick charge/discharge, and the highest specific capacitance of about 110 F g⁻¹ is obtained when the PPy/MnO₂ content in the composite is about 17.4%.