A comparative study of zinc—polyaniline electrochemical cells having sulfate and chloride electrolytes

Polyaniline (PANI) films were investigated at 20 °C as the positive electrodes for Zn/PANI secondary cells containing either 1 M ZnCl2, 0.5 M NH4Cl or 1 M ZnSO4, 0.18 M (NH4)2SO44 electrolytes, respectively, at pH = 4.5. Cyclic voltammograms showed similar behaviour for the thin PANI films as those in highly acid media. From the discharge curves specific capacities were calculated of 127–130 Ah kg−1 for the Zn/PANI, Cl− cell and 82–107 Ah kg−1 for the Zn/PANI, SO42 cell. Charging limit values of 1.48 V for the Zn/PANI, Cl− cell and 1.52 V for the Zn/PANI SO42− cell were obtained in order to prevent the electrochemical inactivation of the polymer. After 20 to 30 cycles the capacity of both cells decreases rapidly and then levels off. The self-discharge process is important only in the first approximately 80 h, after which the open-circuit voltage remains constant. Zn/PANI, Cl− cell showed better electrical characteristics for use as a secondary system.