Investigation on improved stability and electrochemical activity of mixed metal sulfides-based nanocomposites for energy storage applications

Poly (3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) was modified by tin disulfide (SnS2) and zirconium disulfide (ZrS2) nanoparticles to enhance its electrochemical performance. The surface influence, crystalline structure, and electrochemical performance of the P3MT/SnS2/ZrS2 material were characterized and compared with that of pristine P3MT. It is found that surface modification can improve the structural stability of P3MT without decreasing its available specific capacitance. The electrochemical properties of synthesized P3MT/SnS2/ZrS(2)electrode were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AC impedance techniques in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Specific capacitances of 278, 697, 759, and 1396 F/g were obtained P3MT, P3MT/SnS2, P3MT/ZrS2, and P3MT/SnS2/ZrS2, respectively, at 1 A/g. This improvement is attributed to the synergistic effect of SnS2 and ZrS2 in the P3MT/SnS2/ZrS2 electrode material. The P3MT/SnS2/ZrS2 electrode in KOH has average specific energy and specific power densities of 951 Wh kg(-1) and 5457 W kg(-1), respectively. Only 5% of the capacitance's initial value is lost after 10,000 cycles. The resulting P3MT/SnS2/ZrS(2)nanocomposite had very stable and porous layered structures. This work demonstrates that P3MT/SnS2/ZrS2 nanomaterials exhibit good structural stability and electrochemical performance and are good materials for supercapacitor applications. [GRAPHICS]