Enhanced electrochemical activity using vertically aligned carbon nanotube electrodes grown on carbon fiber

Abstract

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes were successfully grown on flexible carbon fibers by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The diameter of the CNT is controllable by adjusting the thickness of the catalyst Ni layer deposited on the fiber. Vertically aligned nanotubes were grown in a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Deposition system (PECVD) at a temperature of 630 °C, d.c. bias of -600 V and 160 and 68 sccm flow of ammonia and acetylene, respectively. Using cyclic voltammetry measurements, an increase of the surface area of our electrodes, up to 50 times higher, was observed in our samples with CNT. The combination of VACNTs with flexible carbon fibers can have a significant impact on applications ranging from sensors to electrodes for fuel cells.

Co3O4 Nanowires on Flexible Carbon Fabric as a Binder-Free Electrode for All Solid-State Symmetric Supercapacitor

“…To date, carbonaceous materials (activated carbon, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, etc. ) − have been used as supercapacitor electrode materials due to their good cyclic stability, however, they have not excelled because of their low specific capacitance, which diminished the energy density of the fabricated supercapacitors. To meet ever-increasing energy demands, various inorganic metal oxides/hydroxides, such as MnO 2 , RuO 2 , CuO, NiO, V 2 O 5 , WO 3 , Co­(OH) 2 , Ni­(OH) 2 , etc., − have been used as electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage.…”

Ultra-fast rate capability of a symmetric supercapacitor with a hierarchical Co3O4 nanowire/nanoflower hybrid structure in non-aqueous electrolyte

“…Various electrodes including carbonaceous materials (activated carbon, graphene oxide, CNT etc. ), [10][11][12][13][14][15] transition metal oxides/hydroxides (MnO 2 , NiO, Co 3 O 4 , NiCo 2 O 4 , CoMoO 4 etc.) [16][17][18][19][20] and conducting polymers (polyaniline, polypyrole etc.)…”

Hierarchically structured catalyst layer for the oxygen reduction reaction fabricated by electrodeposition of platinum on carbon nanotube coated carbon fiber

“…7,8 To synthesize highly active catalyst layers with low-Pt loading, Pt-particles with an optimized size are dispersed uniformly on a highly corrosion resistant support material. Among others, carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, due to their high strengths, large surface areas, [9][10][11] high corrosion resistances 12 and excellent thermal as well as electronic conductivities, 13,14 have been studied extensively as catalyst supports. [15][16][17] Their performance is affected signicantly by factors such as the electronic connectivity between individual catalyst particles and the catalyst support, 18 contact resistance at the catalyst layer/gas diffusion layer interface, 19 agglomeration of the catalyst support and/or catalyst particles, 20 catalyst layer thickness, 21 catalyst particle size, 22 etc.…”