Performance evaluation of polyacrylamide/silver composite as electrode material in electrochemical capacitor

In this research, polyacrylamide/Ag composite is synthesized and used as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor (EC). The characterization of the composite is performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry methods. The electrochemical characterization is conducted in an electrolytic solution of KOH and an electrolytic solution of Na2SO4. The capacitance of the polyacrylamide/Ag composite is associated mainly with the reduction/oxidation of Ag. The specific capacitance of the EC using the KOH electrolyte is 950 Fg−1, which is better than the capacitance in the Na2SO4 electrolyte. This behavior is explained by the respective physical characteristics of the two electrolytes.

► Polyacrylamide/Ag composite is synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. ► The composite is applied as electrode material in an electrochemical capacitor in KOH and Na2SO4 as electrolyte. ► In this application, the polyacrylamide serves as the backbone, and Ag serves as the electro-active material. ► The obtained electrochemical capacitances have been affected by physical characteristics of the electrolytes.