Electropolymerization of polyaniline on titanium oxide nanotubes for supercapacitor application

Vertically aligned polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes have great potential application in supercapacitor electrode material. In this paper we have investigated facile growth of PANI nanotubes on a titanium nanotube template (TNT) using electrochemical polymerization. The morphology of PANI nanostructures grown over TNT is strongly influenced by the scan rate in the electrochemical polymerization. The growth morphology of PANI nanotubes has been carefully analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The detailed growth mechanism of PANI nanotubes has been put forward. Specific capacitance value of 740 F g−1 was obtained for PANI nanotube structures (measured at charge–discharge rate of 3 A g−1).

► Polyaniline (PANI)-Titanium nanotube template (TNT) composite for supercapacitors. ► The mechanism of the controlled growth of hollow open ended PANI nanotubes using a TNT template is studied. ► A rare effort to electropolymerise PANI on TNTs resulting into an appreciable capacitance of 740 F g−1.