Synthesis of polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid and its improved electrochemical capacitance performance

A polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid, which has a conductivity of 3–6 S cm−1 at 25 °C, has been prepared by the oxidative polymerization of aniline with the simultaneous hydrolysis of SnCl4 and an appropriate post-processing temperature. As an electrode material, 5–20 nm pore-dominated polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid gave an improved electrochemical capacitance performance due to providing an effective electrochemical accessibility of electrolyte solution. The charge/discharge tests showed that the polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid had a higher specific capacitance than that of polyaniline with a growth of current density from 1.0 A g−1 to 30 A g−1, and the specific capacitance of polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid still reached 325 F g−1 at a constant current density of 30 A g−1, but that of polyaniline was about 180 F g−1.

Graphical abstractA polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid, which has a conductivity of 3–6 S cm−1 at 25 °C, has been prepared by the oxidative polymerization of aniline with the simultaneous hydrolysis of SnCl4 and an appropriate post-processing temperature. As an electrode material, 5–20 nm pore-dominated polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid gave an improved electrochemical capacitance performance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 5–20 nm pore-dominated polyaniline/tin oxide hybrid is prepared. ► The hybrid shows an improved electrochemical capacitance performance. ► Its specific capacitance is 325 F g−1 at a constant current density of 30 A g−1.