Electrochemical deposition of PEDOT/MoS2 composite films for supercapacitors

Composite materials based on conducting polymers and transitional metal chalcogenides have attracted considerable attention as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Molybdenum disulfide is a layered transitional metal dichalcogenide extensively researched in energy storage and conversion applications, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is an intrinsically conducting polymer that can act as a conductive matrix. We propose a single-step electrochemical deposition of PEDOT/MoS 2 composite materials from the dispersion containing commercially available MoS 2 platelets and EDOT monomer. Potentiodynamic, galvanostatic, and potentiostatic modes are all suitable for synthesis of the materials with predominant content of MoS 2 , which is attached to the current collector via conducting PEDOT matrix. The materials can work in various water-based electrolytes and combine capacitor-like and redox pseudocapacitive response. The composites deposited on graphite foil in assembled asymmetric cells with Kynol carbon cloth counter-electrode deliver up to 870 mF cm −2 areal capacitance in LiClO 4 aqueous solution at a current density of 1 mA cm −2 due to combined capacitive input of both components. • Multiple electrochemical modes of synthesis were explored for PEDOT/MoS 2 composite. • PEDOT/MoS 2 with exceptionally high areal capacitance of 870 mF cm −2 was obtained. • Synergistic effect between MoS 2 and PEDOT results in increased capacitance.