Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(o-toluidine) as high energy storage material

Highlights: • Electrochemical formation of poly(o-toluidine) (POT) is performed by galvanostatic polymerization of o-toluidine. • According to our knowledge, charge/discharge behavior of POT electrode is performed for the first time. • High values of both specific energy and power, together with high value of the specific capacity, are obtained. • POT electrode is capable of retaining over 90% of the initial capacity over 2000 charge/discharge cycles. -- Abstract: Poly(o-toluidine) (POT) is electrochemically synthesized on graphite electrode at constant current density of 1.5 mA cm⁻² from aqueous electrolyte of 1.0 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ and 0.25 mol dm⁻³ o-toluidine. Electrochemical characterization of POT electrode is performed using cyclic voltammetry, Mot Schottky analysis and galvanostatic measurements at different currents. POT electrode exhibited high energy storage features, with specific energy up to 17.5 Wh kg⁻¹ and specific power up to 3300 W kg⁻¹. Cyclic stability exceeding 90% is obtained over 2000 charge/discharge cycles at 13.1 A g⁻¹ indicating the perspective application of POT electrode as energy storage material.