Rapid, in situ plasma functionalization of carbon nanotubes for improved CNT/epoxy composites

Abstract

In situ plasma functionalization during manufacturing of CNT/polymer composites.

Fabrication and study of supercapacitor electrodes based on oxygen plasma functionalized carbon nanotube fibers

“…The carbonyl (-C = O-) peak is observed at about 288.1 eV, while the carboxyl (-C = O-O-) peak is seen at 290.2 eV. These results are consistent with previously reported data in the literature [36,57] . Fig.…”

“…It has been previously reported by our research group that plasma functionalization increases the wettability of carbon-based materials [36] . CNTs by nature are hydrophobic and inert, making them unfavorable for specific applications such as in microfluidic devices.…”

“…When these materials are used as electrode materials in an aqueous electrolyte system (as described above), the high ionic resistance between the surface of the electrode and aqueous electrolyte hinders the accessibility of the electrolyte ions into the electrode material regardless of its porosity [49,50] . Plasma functionalization has long been confirmed to increase the wettability of CNT and of other carbon-based materials [36,39,40,41,49] (Fig. S6).…”

“…The purification of aligned CNTs removes amorphous carbon and other impurities within the CNTs, thus improving their overall performance while opening the tips and increasing their surface area. CNTs, when plasma functionalized, have also been found to enhance the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of composites [33][34][35][36][37][38] .…”

“…CNTs by nature are hydrophobic and inert, making them unfavorable for specific applications such as in microfluidic devices. Wettability of carbon nanotubes has been altered by changing their chemical composition or structure, and this can be achieved by oxygen plasma functionalization [32,[35][36][37][39][40][41] .…”