Conducting polymers (CPs) may be seamlessly transitioned across a large range of electrical conductivities. This may be achieved on-the-fly by electrochemically changing their doping level. However, the processing of CP films has typically been constrained to thicknesses in the micrometer range which has hindered their adoption beyond a few niche applications. A composite containing a CP [viz. poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate] with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and high-boiling-point solvents is found to combine excellent electronic and ionic conductivities (up to 500 S/cm and 20 mS/cm respectively). We provide experimental results which suggest the CNFs are coated by the CP providing the electronically transporting phase. The solvents trapped in the interstitial nanovoids of the cellulose network act as the ion transporting phase. Moreover, the CNFs provide structural integrity enabling the fabrication of thick films with a high mechanical integrity. We use this material to prepare solenoids with which we demonstrate the first organic (i.e. metal-free) electromagnetic generator. Furthermore, we use these organic solenoids in a resonant inductive coupling configuration to transmit electrical power wirelessly. Lastly, the electrochemical activity of the CP phase coupled with the fact that ions can be readily transported in the material is exploited to build competitive, reliable and environmentally-friendly energy storage devices that bridge the gap between batteries and capacitors. Ongoing efforts to scale up the manufacturing process is expected to benefit from the natural abundance of cellulose and the technological maturity of the paper production industry.

Cellulose as a template for generation, wireless transport and storage of electrical energy with conducting polymers

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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