Phosphorus groups assisted growth of vertically oriented polyaniline nanothorns on N/P co-doped carbon nanofibers for high-performance supercapacitors

A series of highly homogeneous polyaniline@N/P co-doped carbon nanofibers (PANI@NPCNFs) composites have been prepared by in-situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of NPCNFs. Vertically oriented PANI nanothorns are achieved by introducing phosphorus groups on the surface of NPCNFs. The optimized PANI@NPCNFs composite demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance (436 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1), high rate capability (79% capacitance retention at 20 A g−1 relative to that at 0.5 A g−1), and good stability (96% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles at 10 A g−1). The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the surface phosphorus-oxygen groups which bridge the gaps between PANI and NPCNFs, leading to highly enhanced charge transfer dynamics.