Energy Storage Performance of Thiophene-Derivatized Polyaniline-Supported Silver Nanoparticles: Mechanistic Insights and Application in Low-Frequency Waveform Generation

The growing demand for improved energy storage solutions has increasingly intensified the focus on developing high-performance electrode materials. In this context, hybrid nanocomposites that integrate polymers and metal nanoparticles have emerged as potential materials for next-generation energy storage devices. In this study, a thiophene-derivatized polyaniline-silver nanoparticle hybrid system (Ag-TdPA) was synthesized through an in situ synthesis route. The resulting material was employed in the fabrication of a supercapacitor device and further utilized in an oscillator application. Electrochemical studies demonstrated a specific capacitance of 660 and 94 F.g⁻¹ for three-electrode and two-electrode (device) systems, made by Ag-TdPA, at a current density of 4.0 and 0.5 A.g⁻¹, with the capacitance retention of 97 and 92% at 8.0 and 1.0 A.g⁻¹, respectively, after 5000 repetitive charge–discharge cycles. The device delivered up to 37 Wh.kg⁻¹ of energy density and 3784 W.kg⁻¹ of power density, demonstrating its potential for energy storage applications. The Ag-TdPA-based device was implemented in a low-frequency relaxation oscillator, delivering a consistent output signal at 0.47 Hz. The dual functionality of Ag-TdPA highlights the potential as an advanced material for energy storage and signal generation in low-power electronic systems.