Synthesis and Characterization of Polypyrrole/Vanadium Pentoxide Nanocomposite Aerogels
Abstract
Vanadium pentoxide/polypyrrole aerogel (ARG) composites were synthesized by sol-gel routes, and investigated as cathode materials in Li batteries. The primaly method utilized simultaneous polymerization of pyrrole and vanadium alkoxide precursors. Supercritical drying yielded high surface (150-257 sq m/g) aerogels with densities between 0.1 and 0.2 g/cc. The interaction between the polypyrrole (PPy) and V2O5 aerogel in the nanocomposites was probed using IR spectroscopy. Our results suggest that the inorganic and organic components strongly interact, thus impeding the vanadium condensation process. Hence, the PPy/V2O5 nanocomposites exhibited lower electrical conductivity with increased polypyrrole content. The deleterious effect of the conductive polymer on the bulk conductivity does not necessarily affect the electrochemical properties of these materials. Nanocomposite materials that were subjected to post-oxidative treatment show enhanced Li insertion capacity compared to the pristine ARG. The physical properties of these "nanocomposite aerogels" are different from "microcomposites" prepared by an alternate route, in which the oxide gel is formed in the presence of a dispersion of preformed micron-sized polypyrrole particles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA339890
Entities
People
- B. C. Dave
- Bruce S. Dunn
- F. Leroux
- H. P. Wong
- J. Harreld
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles