Hybrid materials approach in the design of electrodes and electrolytes for energy storage and conversion

Abstract

The integration of electro-ionically active inorganic species in polymer matrices allows for the design of either electrode or electrolyte materials depending on the conducting or insulating properties of the polymer used. Conducting polymers can be used as the basis for a variety of hybrid electrode systems, whereas other polymers such as polybenzimidazoles have been used as electrolyte membranes by themselves or in combination with inorganic solid acids, We will discuss the general approach of hybrid design with this in mind and specifically we will describe our recent results on the use of polyoxometalate-containing hybrids in energy storage and conversion devices. In this respect we have worked in our laboratory on electrochemical supercapacitors and fuel cells but emphasis should be made on the broader potential fields of application of this type of materials.