Application of polyaniline/poly(p-styrenesulfonic acid) composite prepared by post-polymerization technique to positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery

Polyaniline/p-styrenesulfonic acid composite (PANI-SSA) was prepared by mixing PANI/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidione (NMP) solution and SSA aqueous solution. PANI-SSA composite was converted to PANI-poly(p-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS) composite by post-polymerization technique (heating at 100 °C for 3 h). PANI-PSS modified porous carbon (RVC) electrode prepared by casting PANI-SSA composite onto RVC substrate and heating process showed the electrochemical responses based on the redox reaction of PANI-PSS in organic electrolyte solution, such as propylene carbonate (PC). PANI-PSS modified RVC electrode was also electroactive. Model secondary cell (Li/LiClO4-PC/PANI-PSS-RVC cell) showed about 60 % of coulombic efficiency under high density cycling condition.