Synthesis and electrochemical properties of mesoporous titanium oxide with polythiophene nanowires in the pores

• 200 times greater conductivity of amine-templated mesoporous titanium oxide.
• Successful synthesis of polythiophene nanowires in the pores of mesoporous titanium oxide.
• In-depth characterization of the composite including solid-state NMR.
• Retention of high surface area and mesoporous structure post polymer incorporation.
• Capacity’s of 301 and 180 mAh/g at discharge rates of 0.2 and 1 mA cm2.

This paper describes the synthesis and characterisation of amine-templated mesoporous titanium oxide with polythiophene nanowires in the pores. These materials were designed to improve the electron conductivity of the ca. 1000 m2/g mesostructure in order to exploit the redox sites within the pores. An in depth characterisation of the synthesised composites including an electrochemical assessment of these materials is presented, and compared to the pristine mesoporous titanium oxide. The results demonstrate successful synthesis of conducting nanowires within the pores of the mesoporous titanium oxides by utilising vapour diffusion and subsequent in situ polymerisation, whilst retaining the mesostructure of the titanium oxide host. The mesoporous titanium oxide produced a peak capacity of 301 mAh/g at current densities of 0.2 mA cm−2. The polythiophene nanowires improve the conductivity of the material with a slight drop in capacity.

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