The effects of hyperbranched poly(siloxysilane)s on conductive polymer aluminum solid electrolytic capacitors

An aluminum solid electrolytic capacitor, using poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a counter electrode, was prepared with hyper-branched poly(siloxysilane)s (HBPSi) that has a large number of vinyl groups to improve the interfacial properties between aluminum oxide and PEDOT. Capacitance and equivalent series resistance (Rs) were significantly improved compared to untreated oxide film and vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane coated interfaces. From electrochemical measurement of the withstand voltage, damage to the oxide film from chemical polymerization of PEDOT was less with the HBPSi treatment. Frequency characteristics and electrical conductivity measurements of the polymer indicated that the resistance inside the etched porous layer was greatly reduced. These results show that the HBPSi pre-coating layer inhibited degradation of the oxide film by chemical polymerization of PEDOT and the conductivity of PEDOT in the etched porous oxide layer, and also enlarges the contact area by improving interfacial adhesion. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.