Dual purpose poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole)/vanadium pentoxide nanobelt hybrids in photoelectrochromic cells and supercapacitors

作者：Reddy B Narsimha; Mukkabla Radha; Deepa Melepurath^*; Ghosal Partha

来源：RSC Advances, 2015, 5(40): 31422-31433.

DOI：10.1039/c5ra05015d

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP)/vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanobelt hybrid films were prepared for the first time. V2O5 nanobelts with a monoclinic structure were grown by a hydrothermal route and a PEDOT layer was coated onto V2O5 nanobelts by electropolymerization to yield the PEDOP/V2O5 hybrid. The hybrid showed a fourfold increment in electrical conductivity compared to the pristine oxide, and a work function of 4.71 eV (by Kelvin probe force microscopy), which was intermediate to that of PEDOP and V2O5. Both oxide and hybrid showed green-red luminescence. The PEDOP/V2O5 hybrid or V2O5 films were assembled into energy saving photoelectrochromic cells, by combining with a photovoltaic electrode of CdS/titania, and in response to 1 sun illumination for different durations, the hybrid showed a dynamic transmission modulation (Delta T), as it switched from a yellow to a dark green optical state, without the application of any external bias, by simply consuming the electrical current produced by the irradiated CdS/titania. The hybrid exhibited a maximum DT of 65.5% at 475 nm, which was greater by 82% compared to pristine V2O5 at the same wavelength. The ability of PEDOP to provide facile conduction pathways for fast and improved electron transfer and transport in the PEDOP/V2O5 hybrid, enhances the optical contrast produced. The versatility of the hybrid was established by assembling asymmetric supercapacitors with the hybrid or polymer or oxide and a liquid electrolyte. The synergistic effects of PEDOP (high electrical conductivity) and V2O5 nanobelts (large surface area) and their ability to store/release charge by undergoing reversible Faradaic reactions were reflected in a high specific capacitance of 224 F g(-1) delivered by the hybrid, higher by 83% and 69% relative to pristine V2O5 and PEDOP. The hybrid shows an energy density of 223 W h kg(-1) at a power density of 3.8 kW kg(-1), and an acceptable cycling performance with 90% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The PEDOP/V2O5 hybrid is useful for advanced next-generation self-powered electrochromic smart windows and supercapacitors.

• 出版日期2015