The Electrochemical Behavior of a Nanocomposite Based on Polyaniline and Thermally Expanded Graphite on Graphite Foil in a Lithium Aprotic Electrolyte

A synthesis method has been developed, and the electrochemical properties of a nanocomposite coating based on polyaniline (Pani) and thermally expanded graphite (TEG) on a substrate of anodized graphite foil in an aprotic lithium electrolyte have been studied. Stable suspensions of Pani-TEG were obtained by mixing a solution of Pani base in formic acid with TEG and subsequent ultrasonic treatment and deposited on the porous surface of activated (anodized) graphite foil. The specific electrochemical capacity of the coating attained 675 F/g at a charge-discharge current of 0.5 mA/cm(2) in an aprotic electrolyte of 1 M LiClO4 in propylene carbonate. Upon long cycling for a week (more than 300 cycles), the drop in capacity was not higher than 4%.