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Abstract Here we describe a screen-printed supercapacitor produced onto filter paper using poly (3, 4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite as active materials. We use a gel-like electrolyte based on poly (vinyl alcohol) and phosphoric acid (PVA/H 3 PO 4), serving as both an ionic conductor and as an electrode separator. The electrodes are physically characterized through micro-Raman scattering analyses, sheet resistance measurements as a function of the printed number of layers and through scanning electron microscopy. The supercapacitor performance is investigated through impedance spectroscopy, equivalent circuit fitting, cyclic voltammetry (CV), long-term cycle stability and galvanostatic charge/discharge. The electrodes exhibit a low sheet resistance, reaching 17 Ω sq−1, being suitable for use as both electrode and the current collector. The supercapacitor shows good capability behavior over impedance spectroscopy and CV measurements, and 72% of capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. We find a maximum specific capacitance of 20,3 F g−1 for a charge/discharge current of 1 mA, and equivalent series resistance of 60 Ω, leading to energy and power densities of 3,1 Wh kg−1 and 420 W kg−1, respectively. In conclusion, we describe here a flexible supercapacitor without metal collectors produced by a simple printing method. Highlights • A paper based supercapacitor was prepared using screen-printed electrodes. • Screen-printed PEDOT:PSS/MWCNT on paper exhibited a sheet resistance of 17 Ω sq.−1. • The paper-based supercapacitor exhibited a specific capacitance of 20,3 F g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductivity of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) strongly depends on the film morphology, which can be altered by the presence of polyelectrolytes. Aqueous dispersion of PEDOT:PSS was studied with anionic sodium polyacrylate (PA) and cationic poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) polyelectrolytes that are typically used in papermaking as retention aids and dispersing agents in the paper pigment coating formulations. Spin-coated PEDOT:PSS films on a PA coated glass formed non-uniform layers with lowered conductivity compared to the reference PEDOT:PSS films on a clean glass substrate. On contrary, spin-coated PEDOT:PSS on a pDADMAC coated glass formed uniform layers with good conductivity. These results point out the importance of surface chemistry when using renewable and recyclable paper-based substrates with the PEDOT:PSS films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]