The Application of Polymer Nanocomposites in Energy Storage Devices

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) have attracted extensive attention owing to their potential application in multiple energy storage devices. PNCs hold unique electrochemical properties that cannot be obtained by acting on a single component alone. This chapter covers the recent important development and progress of PNCs with respect to electrode materials, electrolyte, and separator materials for batteries and supercapacitors. Here, we begin with a brief introduction on the PNCs. Then PNCs electrodes of batteries (e.g. polymer-graphene/carbon nanotube, polymer-inorganic, and polymer-organic salt-graphene nanocomposites) and supercapacitors (e.g. polymer-metal oxide, polymer-graphene/carbon nanotube and polymer-metal oxide-graphene/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites) are summarized. Subsequently, the electrochemical performance of batteries and supercapacitors made of PNCs electrolytes is introduced. In the next section, separators made of PNCs for both batteries and supercapacitors are shown with specific instances. Finally, a short conclusion is made, combining with current challenges and potential development of the application of PNCs in energy storage.