Harnessing chitin nanocrystals and PEDOT nanocomposites: Toward eco-friendly conductive materials for supercapacitor applications

The pursuit of sustainable and high-performance energy storage solutions is at the forefront of next-generation flexible electronics. However, achieving materials that are simultaneously lightweight, flexible, and highly conductive remains a significant challenge. To address this, we investigate a novel bio-based electrode material by integrating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs). This hybrid material leverages the intrinsic electrical conductivity of PEDOT and the renewable, mechanically robust nature of chitin. We present a green synthesis route where ChNCs act as biotemplates, guiding the in-situ polymerization of PEDOT to form well-dispersed PEDOT@ChNCs nanostructures exhibiting excellent colloidal stability. The successful hybridization of PEDOT@ChNCs was confirmed by infrared and Raman spectroscopies while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images provided insightful about the morphology of the nanoparticles. Three-electrode system obtained by deposing PEDOT@ChNCs on a stainless-steel electrode was used to investigate the electrochemical properties. Supercapacitor performance was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that the PEDOT/ChNCs ratio played a crucial role in optimizing the electrical conductivity and stability of the composite, achieving a conductivity of up to 0.6 S cm −1 with a specific capacitance of up to 150 F/g for a current density of about 0.1 A g −1 . The hybridization of ChNCs with PEDOT opens the way to new possible of application of PEDOT based material in the form of stable waterborne colloidal dispersion, facile to deposit in the form of thin film, for developing flexible and sustainable energy storage devices. • Green synthesis of PEDOT/Chitin nanocrystals for biobased electrodes. • Successful hybridization of PEDOT@ChNCs confirmed by TEM and Raman spectroscopy. • Supercapacitor performance tested via cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge. • Resulting supercapacitor powered an LED light for several minutes.