Polyaniline impact on graphitic C3N4's structural and physicochemical properties for high stability energy storage systems: Practical and theoretical studies

Polyaniline (PANI), and graphitic C3N4 (GCU) have a significant research consideration owing to their properties. Accordingly, in the current study, PANI, GCU, and their composite (PANI@GCU) are synthesized through aniline chemical polymerization in the presence of C3N4. Materials characterizations are done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). SEM images demonstrate that the PANI layers cover the surface of the GCU. Samples are studied through dielectric and electrochemical analysis. The electrical conductivity value shows a conductivity increment in the order: PANI@GCU > PANI > GCU. The PANI@GCU composite sample exhibits a bulk conductivity of 23 S/m at 10 MHz frequency. It also has a 584 F/g specific capacitance with 96.7 % stability after 1000 cycles at 1 A/g. The results of PANI@GCU supercapcitance performance are supported with molecular modelling that shows the interaction between GCU and PANI through the elongation of C-N bond of PANI beside of GCU layer bending to create arc and arrow structure. The structure of PANI@GCU has a lower band gap (Delta E-gap) than PANI, and GCU separately which agrees with the enhancement of the conductivity of the composite than its constituent.