A new electrode for a poly(pyrrole)-based rechargeable battery

The use of dodecylbenzenesulfonate-doped poly(pyrrole) films, PPYDBS, as a secondary battery electrode was studied. The redox and morphologic properties of these films are suitable for battery application. Films were synthesized by electrolysis of pyrrole and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate aqueous solutions with a current density of 1.0 mA cm −2 and were switched in LiC1O 4 1.0 M propylene carbonate solutions (PC) by cyclic voltammetry. In these experiments an apparent diffusion coefficient of 3.7x10 −9 cm 2s −1 has been found. Charge/discharge tests at ±50, ±100, ±150 and ±200 μA cm −2 were done for a PPYDBS/ LiC1O 4, PC/Li battery. The open-circuit voltage was 3.2 V after 30 h, the specific capacity 53 A h kg −1 and the energy density 154 W h kg −1. These values indicate that this polymer can be used as an electrode in a rechargeable battery.