Flexible and high surface area composites of carbon fiber, polypyrrole, and poly(DMcT) for supercapacitor electrodes

► Thin films of Ppy and poly(DMcT) are electrodeposited on carbon-fiber (CF) cloth. ► Bilayered polymeric composite electrodes are obtained as CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy. ► The CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy composite is tested as electrodes for supercapacitors. ► These electrodes present an outstanding specific capacitance value: 1130±100Fg−1. ► The overlaying Ppy film prevents the loss of the poly(DMcT) electroactive material. Thin films of polypyrrole (Ppy) and poly-2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (poly(DMcT)) are electrochemically deposited on pieces of carbon fiber (CF) cloth, yielding flexible and high surface area composites that are characterized as electrodes for supercapacitors. A bilayered polymeric composite (CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy) is obtained by depositing a nanometric layer of Ppy on CF already supporting a poly(DMcT) film. Electrochemical stability tests indicate that the Ppy film acts as a barrier that prevents the loss of the poly(DMcT) electroactive material, thus improving the charge-storage characteristics of the bilayered film even after 1000 cycles. Specific capacitance values of 460±50 and 1130±100Fg−1 are observed for electrodes made of the CF/Ppy and CF/poly(DMcT)/Ppy composites, respectively. Comparatively to similar Ppy composite materials used for supercapacitors, the bilayered film electrode here reported presents a significantly improved specific capacitance value.