Assessment of polyaniline nanocomposites with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes as electrode materials for supercapacitors

Supercapacitors are considered to be one of the most promising energy storage technologies for applications in the field of electric vehicles. Unfortunately, their performance is strongly related to the electrodes and researches in this area is not enough mature. Finding new materials which can improve the performance of supercapacitors is really needed. In this research, new materials will be introduced which enhances the properties of these important devices. Polyaniline (PANi) nanocomposites with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared via in situ polymerization and their optimum amount was obtained. These nanocomposite electrodes showed excellent electrochemical performance as electrodes for supercapacitors with a specific capacitance of 865.41 F g⁻¹ at current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and a power density of 304.51 W kg⁻¹, and an energy density of 33.75 Wh kg⁻¹. Nanocomposite electrodes showed high CV curve area demonstrating desirable abilities as ideal supercapacitors. Furthermore, nanocomposites possessed small charge transfer resistance (134.2 Ω) which indicated superior electrochemical performance. In addition, cycle performance of hybrid nanocomposites revealed that ternary electrode had an acceptable cyclic stability (retention ratio: 81% after 2500 cycles). Final PANi nanocomposite with 25% of Fe₃O₄ and 6% of CNTs was selected as optimum material for the electrode. It could be an opportunity for recuperating performances of supercapacitors.