Layer-by-layer spray deposition and unzipping of single-wall carbon nanotube-based thin film electrodes for electrochemical capacitors

Journal article

Spray deposited single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film electrodes comprising a randomly interconnected meso-porous network with high electrical conductivity and ionic mobility when immersed in an electrolyte have been investigated for applications in electrochemical capacitors. Layer-by-layer (LbL) spray deposition assembly of functionalised, oppositely charged (carboxylic COO or amine NH ) SWCNTs has been used to control the density and structure of sprayed electrodes, followed by vacuum and hydrogen heat treatment, and their electrochemical performance as a supercapacitor electrode assessed. Sprayed LbL SWCNT electrodes had faster charging and discharging kinetics than SWCNT-COOH electrodes, with a capacitance of 94 F g compared with 63 F g at 2 mV s in a 1 M HSO electrolyte; and LbL electrode capacitance was maintained to 91 F g at 200 mV s. The capacitance of LbL SWCNT electrodes increased to 151 F g at 2 mV s after vacuum and H heat treatment that removed NH and COOH functional groups, and resulted in a hybrid microstructure of SWCNTs and multi-layer graphene sheets from unzipped SWCNTs. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Authors: Huang, C; Grobert, N; Watt, A; Johnston, C; Watt, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: CARBON
• Volume: 61
• Pages: 525-536
• Publication date: 2013-09-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.04.107
• ISSN: 0008-6223