Polyaniline as a Charge Storage Material in an Aqueous Aluminum-based Electrolyte: Can Aluminum Ions Play the Role of Protons?

NEW INSIGHTS INTO ALUMINUM-ION STORAGE CHEMISTRY: The high redox activity of polyaniline emeraldine salt (Pani) was revealed in the aqueous solution of Al-salt, which makes this polymer attractive as an electrode material for aqueous aluminum electrochemical storage devices. Our results revealed different mechanism of Al-redox behavior of Pani, when compared to that in acidic solution. Combined experimental and theoretical approach found that the Al-salt plays the role of a secondary dopant into protonated Pani, capable of changing the electronic properties of Pani and consequently relative stability of its form (from polaron to bipolaron). The study opens new perspectives towards the development of a new generation of more sustainable energy storage devices. This polymer will be utilized as a modifying agent/precursor for the synthesis of the carbon electrodes for Al, Ca or Mg – ion storage devices.

Online article