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We introduce high-performance polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite supercapacitors based on gamma aluminum oxide (γ-Al 2 O 3 ) and gamma iron (III) oxide (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles with a high specific surface area. PANI and its polymer nanocomposites are synthesized via in situ electropolymerization on gold electrodes. The structures and morphologies are characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and EDX. The electrochemical properties and specific surface area of the electrodes are investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and BET theory. The enhanced specific capacitance with higher surface area and conductivities is observed in PANI/γ-Fe 2 O 3 (342 F/g), PANI/γ-Al 2 O 3 (292 F/g) and PANI (180 F/g) electrodes with a constant current density of 1A/g. The cyclic performance of the PANI electrodes following 8000 cycles of operations were at 87% (PANI), 91% (PANI/γ-Al 2 O 3 ), and 93% (PANI/γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) of their initial capacitance. In addition, higher specific capacitances, higher conductivity and cyclic self-stabilities observed for the PANI/nanocomposite electrodes can provide new opportunities in the field of energy storage and supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole-based gamma aluminum oxide (γ-Al 2 O 3 ) and gamma iron (III) oxide (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) nanocomposites were synthesized via in situ electropolymerization methods Films were characterized via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and in situ spectroelectrochemistry methods such as in situ UV–Visible spectroscopy and in situ conductivity measurements. Polymer nanocomposite structures and morphologies were studied and characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to the CV results of the nanocomposites, the separation of anodic and cathodic peak potential of the redox couples (ΔE) exhibited good reversibility with a positive potential shift compared with PPy during redox sweeps. The electrochemical properties of PPy, PPy/γ-Fe 2 O 3, and PPy/γ-Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite electrodes in a solution of H 2 SO 4 were studied via CV, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and EIS measurements to understand the pseudocapacitance that formed due to oxidation and reduction reactions over the double layer capacitance. Results for the nanocomposites revealed that they were very good candidates for supercapacitor applications, with higher specific capacitances, cyclic self-stabilities, and better rate capabilities than those of PPy films. The specific capacitance values of PPy/γ-Fe 2 O 3 (106 F/g) and PPy/γ-Al 2 O 3 (92 F/g) nanocomposites based on a three-electrode cell configuration from galvanostatic charge–discharge at a constant current density of 1 A/g were higher than that for PPy (75 F/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]