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.