Scalable fabrication of flexible 3D PEDOT/rGO Scaffold for high-performance supercapacitors via a self-assembly method

Abstract

Conducting polymers hold great prospects in energy storage, especially in the field of flexible energy storage, however, their broad applications are limited due to the poor processability, difficulty in structural design diversity and unsatisfactory performance when used alone. Herein, the processability of PEDOT in organic phase is significantly enhanced by surfactant modification via a self-assembly process, contributing to the convenient and low-cost construction of 3D PEDOT architecture. Importantly, the PEDOT and rGO can be introduced into the same porous structure synchronously and conveniently. Superior capacitive performance is shown for the porous PEDOT/rGO film benefits from the combination of PEDOT with excellent electrochemical stability, rGO with high conductivity and porous structure with abundant active sites and chambers for electrolyte storage. The porous PEDOT/rGO film can be used as a scaffold for the deposition of conductive polymers. For example, once PPy is deposited, a high specific capacitance of 407.8 F g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1, accompanied by a prominent capacitance retention of 90% after 5000 cycles are achieved. When it is used to construct the symmetric supercapacitor (SSC), a high energy density of 52.9 Wh kg^-1 at the power density of 200.2 W kg^-1 is delivered, with a high capacitance retention of 85%. Moreover, it shows excellent mechanical flexibility upon multiple bending cycles, rendering great potential in portable or wearable energy storage devices.