Fabrication of Flexible Films for Supercapacitors Using Halloysite Nano-Clay Incorporated Poly(lactic acid)

Abstract

In the past few years, significant research efforts have been directed toward improving the electrochemical capabilities of supercapacitors by advancing electrode materials. The present work signifies the development of poly(lactic acid)/alloysite nano-clay as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Physico-chemical characterizations were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and a universal testing machine. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques were employed to evaluate electrochemical characteristics. The optimized poly(lactic acid)/halloysite nano-clay film revealed the highest specific capacitance of 205.5 F g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 current density and showed 14.6 Wh kg−1 energy density at 72 W kg−1 power density. Capacitance retention of 98.48% was achieved after 1000 cycles. The microsupercapacitor device presented a specific capacitance of 197.7 mF g−1 at a current density of 0.45 mA g−1 with 10.8 mWh kg−1 energy density at 549 mW kg−1 power density.