Multifunctional polythiophene-based composites for environmental remediation and energy storage: A critical review

Abstract

Polythiophene (PTh), a conductive polymer with remarkable electrochemical stability and tunable electronic properties, has gained significant attention in the development of sustainable environmental and energy solutions. This review comprehensively explores the synthesis strategies, structural modifications, and functionalization techniques of PTh and its composites, emphasizing their role in wastewater treatment, gas sensing, and energy storage applications. The incorporation of nanomaterials, metal oxides, and carbon-based structures into PTh matrices enhances its conductivity, selectivity, and stability, making it a promising candidate for advanced technological applications. In wastewater treatment, PTh-based composites exhibit efficient adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and heavy metals. Their application in gas sensing leverages their high sensitivity, rapid response, and selectivity toward hazardous gases, crucial for environmental monitoring. Additionally, PTh composites have demonstrated excellent charge storage capabilities, cycle stability, and high capacitance, making them viable materials for supercapacitors and next-generation batteries. This review critically assesses the challenges associated with PTh-based materials, including structural degradation, scalability, and real-world implementation, while highlighting emerging strategies for performance optimization. By providing an in-depth analysis of the recent advancements and future directions, this study seeks to connect foundational research with real-world applications, providing critical insights into how PTh composites contribute to sustainable solutions for environmental and energy challenges.