Harnessing energy from micropollutants electrocatalysis in a high-performance supercapacitor based on PEDOT nanotubes. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hryniewicz, Bruna M.; Bach-Toledo, Larissa; Vidotti, Marcio
• Is Part Of: Applied materials today. Volume 18(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: GCD galvanostatic charge/discharge -- PEDOT-NTs poly(34-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanotubes -- MO methyl orange -- NPh nitrophenol; Nitrophenol degradation -- PEDOT nanotubes -- Electrocatalysis -- Supercapacitor -- Contaminants of emerging concern; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2019.100538
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-9407

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: PEDOT nanotubes were used to degrade nitrophenol isomers Energy used in the degradation was harnessed in a supercapacitor system Increase in the specific capacitance in the presence of pollutants Higher stability of the material when cycled in the presence of nitrophenols Formation of solid residues that can be easily removed from aqueous samples Abstract: Nitrophenols (NPh) are hazardous pollutants with potentially harmful health effects. Conducting polymers appear as attractive candidates to detect and degrade these compounds due to their electrocatalytic activity. However, using electrocatalytic processes to degrade the micropollutants and harnessing the energy used in this process is a new standpoint. To obtain this cooperative effect, we explored the multifunctionality of PEDOT nanotubes in energy storage and electrocatalysis of NPh. The energy involved in degradation was harnessed in a high-performance supercapacitor, by increasing the specific capacitance in almost 50% in some configurations. The presence of NPh during the charge and discharge cycles also increased the stability and durability of the PEDOT nanotubes by forming poly(aminophenols). The extension of NPh degradation was evaluated by UV–vis spectroscopy and the modified electrodes were characterized by electrochemical, vibrational spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopy techniques. By this way, this contribution presents an interesting perspective gathering the degradation of micropollutants and the energy storage devices, which are certainly two of the biggest concerns of the scientific community nowadays.