Ag/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanocomposites as anode materials for lithium ion battery

Ag/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanocomposites were synthesized through polymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and reducing Ag(I) acetate into neutral Ag via a simultaneous one-pot method. Ag/PEDOT nanocomposites were formed as a core-shell structure keeping Ag nanoparticles well-dispersed in PEDOT polymer with high surface area and high electrical conductivity. The charge capacity in the initial cycle for Ag/PEDOT nanocomposites showed 291 mAh/g, and also that in the 20th cycle was the highest with 209 mAh/g among the other samples. The morphology of Ag/PEDOT nanocomposites makes Li ions transfer easier, and this results in the enhanced electrochemical performance because of sufficient charge transfer in the interface and convenient mass transfer. PEDOT acted as the soft buffering material to restrain volume expansion and SEI film because of its unique structure having large entangled molecules.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Ag/PEDOT are prepared as a core–shell structure.
► Ag particles are extremely distributed as ~10 nm in size within PEDOT.
► Ag/PEDOT has good electrical conductivity and excellent morphology for anode material.
► PEDOT in Ag/PEDOT composites acts as an excellent buffering agent to suppress volume expansion of Ag particles.
► Ag/PEDOT has high charge capacity as 291 mAh/g and low interfacial resistance as 6.29 Ω.