The structure and electrochemical properties of poly(3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene)/SnO₂ nanocomposites synthesized by mechanochemical route

In this study, the poly(3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene)/SnO₂ nanocomposites (PProDOT/SnO₂) with different contents of SnO₂ were successfully prepared by using hand grinding and ball milling methods, respectively. The effects of the synthesis methods and SnO₂ on the structure and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were deeply discussed. The results showed the structure of composites were highly affected by the increasing amount of nano‐SnO₂ particles in reaction medium of hand grinding method than ball milling method. And, the PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from ball milling method displayed similar absorption spectra, and ball milling method promoted the uniform distribution of nano‐SnO₂ particles in PProDOT matrix. However, PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from hand grinding method displayed the higher specific surface area and stronger synergetic effects between PProDOT and SnO₂ than that of PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from ball milling method. As a result, the PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from hand grinding method showed higher electrochemical activity than PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from ball milling method. Moreover, the specific capacitance and cycle stability of PProDOT/SnO₂ nanocomposites from both methods were higher than respective pure PProDOT. Among all the nanocomposites, PProDOT/15wt%SnO₂ nanocomposite from hand grinding method possessed the highest specific capacitance (259 F g⁻¹) with the best cycle performance (capacitance retention of 82% after 1,000 cycles). POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2884–2896, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers