An Electroactive Polymer Modified Separator with A Potential Clamp Function

Abstract

An inexpensive electroactive polymer polytriphenylamine (PTPAn) was synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization of TPA. The composite separator was simply prepared by impregnating a commercial PP separator with PTPAn polymer solution. PTPAn was observed on the surface of the composite separator and formed a uniform coating. In cyclic voltammetry test, PTPAn polymer exhibited a pair of well-defined redox peaks between 3.0 and 4.5 V, which could be regarded as a reversible electrochemical p-doping and dedoping process. When incorporated in a blocking cell, the composite separator was able to hold a constant potential for current densities up to 5 mA/cm2 to protect the cell from overcharging.