The initial characteristics of the polypyrrole based aqueous rechargeable batteries with supercapattery characteristics

Abstract

The electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPy) is investigated as a possible active material of the low-cost aqueous based secondary power sources in combination with zinc, lead oxide, and lead sulfate. The discharge capacity of the polypyrrole in the chloride-based electrolyte (for the Zn|PPy cell) is in the range 110 mAh g −1 of PPy, while in the sulfate-based electrolyte ∼150 mAh g −1 of PPy (for the PbSO 4 |PPy and PPy|PbO 2 cells), which is close to the theoretically calculated values. Electrochemical and electrical parameters, reactions in the cells, specific capacity, specific capacitance, energy, and power, for the Zn|PPy, PPy|PbO 2 and PbSO 4 |PPy cells are determined. In addition, the energy efficiency, for the considered systems is estimated. Obtained values of the specific power and energy, could classified investigated systems as a battery type hybrid superacapacitors or “supercapattery”.