Electrochemical Characterization of P3HT Nanostructures Fabricated Via Template Wetting

Polythiophenes have been widely investigated for their potential applications in electrochemical supercapacitors due to their ability to be both n and p doped. In this work we examine poly-3-hexylthiophene, P3HT. Soxhlet extraction was used to remove impurities and to obtain narrow molecular weight fractions from the as received polymer. Template wetting nanofabrication was used with 100 and 200 nm diameter pore, porous alumina membranes to fabricate high surface area electrodes. These were then characterized using chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Specific capacitances of greater than 400 F/g have been achieved with this approach.