Preparation and electrochemical characterization of porous SWNT–PPy nanocomposite sheets for supercapacitor applications

Highly porous sheets comprised of single walled carbon nanotubes and doped polypyrrole (SWNT–PPy) were prepared by vacuum filtration of SWNT–PPy methanol dispersions. The employed preparation procedure is an extension of conventional bucky-paper fabrication technique for the multi-component system. A number of nanocomposites with nominal SWNT:PPy compositions ranging from 1:0 to 1:1 were obtained and tested. Electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic spectroscopy technique in aqueous 1 M NaCl electrolyte. The highest specific capacitance of 131 F/g was obtained for nanocomposite with 1:1 SWNT:PPy ratio. Prospective applications of prepared materials range from supercapacitors to electrodes for batteries and electromechanical actuators.