The Role of Conductive Polymers in Alkali‐Metal Secondary Electrodes

The electrochemical characteristics of electrodes composed of composites of conducting polymers and alkali‐metal alloys have been investigated. We have found that the addition of poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) to alkali‐metal alloys greatly enhances the cyclability and the rate capability of alkali‐metal alloys. The impedance of these electrodes has also been studied. The composite electrode combines the capacitive behavior of PPP with the diffusion‐limited behavior of a pure alloy electrode. The conducting polymer component in a composite electrode acts to mediate the transfer of ions between the electrolyte and the alloy.