An easy and cost-effective route is demonstrated to grow spongy-network-like polyaniline (SpN-PANI) thin films on stainless steel (SS) by galvanostatic electrodeposition. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizations, the physicochemical properties of the SpN-PANI thin films were fine-tuned for supercapacitor application. The hydrophilic nature of SpN-PANI thin films was examined by using contact angle measurements. Next, the capacitive behavior of the SpN-PANI thin film was assessed by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charging-discharging (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Specifically, these results show that SpN-PANI thin films can exhibit a maximum specific capacitance of 580 F.g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 5 mV.s⁻¹ in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte solution, as well as superior cycling stability (84% capacity retention after 1000 cycles). Thus, the strategy presented here can be applicable to produce a SpN-PANI-based thin film which has prospects as an active electrode material for supercapacitor devices.

A novel bisphenol containing preformed multiple ether and amide linkages, N, N′-Bis (4-hydroxyphenoxyphenylene) isophthalamide (IPCD), was prepared and analysed by spectroscopic methods. New aromatic polyesters were prepared by polycondensation of IPCD with 1, 3-benzene diacidchloride and/or 1, 4-benzene diacidchloride. These obtained polyesters were structurally analysed by infra-red spectroscopy, measurements of inherent viscosity, wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns, and thermal techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and solubility tests in organic solvents. The synthesised polyesters had high molecular weights, as indicated by their inherent viscosities from 0.67 to 0.78 dL/g in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The incorporation of ether and kinked aromatic amide moieties in the main polyester chains greatly affected the properties of these aromatic polyesters. The prepared polyesters readily dissolved in amide-type polar aprotic solvents and pyridine, indicating their solution processability. The DSC curves above the polyesters showed glass transition temperatures of 194 to 269 °C. TGA indicated that these newly obtained polyesters were stable up to 301 °C and retained a 39 to 48% weight at 900 °C. W-XRD analyses showed that the newly synthesised polyesters were amorphous, which is reflected in their solubility behaviour.