Polymerization of pyrrole induced by pillar[5]arene functionalized graphene for supercapacitor electrode

Conducting polymer is an important electrode material for supercapacitors because of its high initial specific capacitance. Herein, a novel nanocomposite composed of polypyrrole (PPy) film homogeneously immobilized on the pillar[5]arene functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (RGO-HP5A-PPy) was successfully prepared. RGO-HP5A induced pyrrole to polymerize on the graphene surface and the specific capacitance loss caused by PPy agglomeration was avoided. Noticeably, the specific capacitance of RGO-HP5A-PPy was up to 495 F/g at 1 A/g. Compared with pure PPy (319 F/g), the specific capacitance was increased by 55%. The specific capacitance retention of the assembled symmetric supercapacitor reached 76% after 10,000 cycles at 5 A/g. This study gave full play to the advantages of pillar[5]arene, graphene and PPy, and was expected to promote the development of supramolecular functionalized composites in energy storage. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.