Innovative Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) materials for electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

Conducting polymers, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), are attractive materials to be implemented in energy storage devices due to their easy processing, high conductivity, light weight and good electrochemical properties. Moreover, they can play different roles to enhance the electrochemical properties of the device, for instance, as redox active electrode material or as conductive binder. Thus, in this PhD thesis innovativePEDOT derivatives are synthesized, characterized and applied in electrochemical energy storage systems. Firstly, a polymer combining the most successful conjugated polymer backbone (PEDOT) and the most successful redox active side group (nitroxide radical) is presented. Then, sustainable organic electrode materials are presented by the polymerization of EDOT in presence of lignin-sulfonate biopolymer. These polymers have been analyzed in aqueous electrolyte and ionic liquids for their application in supercapacitors and sodium rechargeable batteries. Lastly, high conductive PEDOT/PSTFSI dispersions are synthesized, which combine the electronic conductivity of PEDOT and ionic conductivity of PSTFSI polyanion, for their use as conductive agent in Li-ion batteries