Effect of the Composition and Post-Synthesis Heat Treatment on the Electrochemical Characteristics of Polypyrrole/V.sub.2O.sub.5 Nanocomposites Prepared by a Mechanochemical Method

Effects were shown for the composition and post-synthesis heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere on the electrochemical properties of nanocomposites derived from polypyrrole (PPy) and a V.sub.2O.sub.5 xerogel with host-guest structure. PPy.sub.0.05V.sub.2O.sub.5 was found to have the highest specific discharge capacity of about 290 mA·h/g and high stability upon prolonged charge-discharge cycling among the PPy.sub.xV.sub.2O.sub.5 nanocomposites prepared (where x = 0.1, 0.05, 0.025). Post-synthesis heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere leads to oxidation of the reduced portion of the inorganic nanocomposite component and nanostructurization of the composite with formation of nanofibers that facilitate a considerable increase in the specific capacity and stability upon cycling.