Composites of Intrinsically Conducting Polymers with Carbonaceous Materials for Supercapacitors – An Update

Abstract

Supercapacitors are an important component in the electric energy landscape with rapidly growing impor­tance. Their energy density still does not meet growing expectations. For improvements optimization of al­ready established materials as well as new materials in electrodes and in electrolyte (solutions) are required. To compensate or correct drawbacks and flaws of a given material – whether new or already established – combina­tion with a second one, i.e. formation of a composite, is a helpful and popular option. Carbon in its many forms is an established supercapacitor electrode material with only limited charge storage capability; intrinsi­cally conducting polymers show promising storage capabilities but limited stability and electronic conductiv­ity. Adding carbons to these polymers has been a popular recipe rather early, but a systematic survey of these combinations with attention to the type of carbon, of polymer, of their relative fractions and the elec­trode architecture has indicated major room for improvements. This update presents representative examples, fol­lows lines of reasoning and searches for conclusions from already available results. It ends with suggestions for further research and development.