High-Performance Gel Electrolyte Asymmetric Supercapacitor Based on Polypyrrole–Tungsten Disulfide Nanocomposite

In this work, a polypyrrole–tungsten disulfide (PPy–WS₂) nanocomposite was synthesized through oxidative polymerization and evaluated as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the successful integration of WS₂ within the PPy matrix. Electrochemical testing revealed a high specific capacitance of 816 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 1 mVs⁻¹, together with excellent cycling durability. To further assess device-level performance, an asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled using the PPy–WS₂ nanocomposite as the positive electrode, activated carbon as the negative electrode, and a PVA/KOH gel electrolyte. The device achieved an energy density of 41.6 Wh kg⁻¹ and a power density of 1500 W kg⁻¹, while maintaining 105% of its capacitance after 2500 charge–discharge cycles. The prototype was also able to power a light-emitting diode, highlighting its practical potential. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic coupling between polypyrrole and tungsten disulfide substantially improves electrochemical behaviour, positioning the PPy–WS₂ nanocomposite as a promising candidate for advanced energy storage applications.