Porous carbon nanotubes improved sulfur composite cathode for lithium-sulfur battery

Porous multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PCNTs) with multiple mesopores structure are synthesized through activation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by potassium hydroxide. The potassium hydroxide activation process results in a significantly enhanced specific surface area with numerous small pores. The as-obtained PCNTs are employed as the conductive matrix for sulfur in the sulfur cathode. Compared with the composite sulfur cathode based on the original MWCNTs, the sulfur-PCNTs cathode shows a significantly improved cycle performance and columbic efficiency. The reversible capacity is 530 mAh?g^?1 and columbic efficiency is 90 % after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA?g^?1. The improvement in the electrochemical performance for S-PCNT is mainly attributed to the enlarged surface area and the porous structure of the unique mesopores carbon nanotube host, which cannot only facilitate transport of electrons and Li⁺ ions, but also trap polysulfides, retard the shuttle effect during charge/discharge process.     

Nano-sized lithium manganese oxide dispersed on carbon nanotubes for energy storage applications

Nano-sized lithium manganese oxide (LMO) dispersed on carbon nanotubes (CNT) has been synthesized successfully via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction at 200 °C for 30 min using MnO₂-coated CNT and an aqueous LiOH solution. The initial specific capacity is 99.4 mAh/g at a 1.6 C-rate, and is maintained at 99.1 mAh/g even at a 16 C-rate. The initial specific capacity is also maintained up to the 50th cycle to give 97% capacity retention. The LMO/CNT nanocomposite shows excellent power performance and good structural reversibility as an electrode material in energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors. This synthetic strategy opens a new avenue for the effective and facile synthesis of lithium transition metal oxide/CNT nanocomposite.     

Surfactant dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyetherimide nanocomposite membrane

Carbon nanotube based nanocomposite membranes have been fabricated through solution casting by embedding multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within polyetherimide (PEI) polymer host matrix. In order to achieve fine dispersion of nanotubes and facilitate strong interfacial adhesion with the polymer matrix, the nanotubes were first treated with surfactants of different charges, namely anionic sodium dodecyl chloride, cationic cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and non-ionic Triton X100, prior to the dispersion in the PEI dope solution. Dispersion of MWCNTs in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent showed that the agglomeration and entanglement of the nanotubes were greatly reduced upon the addition of Triton X100. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy examination has evidenced the compatibility of Triton X100 dispersed MWCNTs with the polymer matrix in which a promising dispersion and adhesion has been observed at the MWCNT-PEI interface. The increase in both thermal stability and mechanical strength of the resulting Triton X100 dispersed MWCNT/PEI nanocomposite indicated the improved interaction between MWCNTs and PEI. This study demonstrated the role of Triton X100 in facilitating the synergetic effects of MWCNTs and PEI where the resulting composite membrane is anticipated to have potential application in membrane based gas separation.     

Surface modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes in CNT/epoxy-composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), produced by arc-discharge method, were treated with oxidising inorganic acids. The surface modification of the oxidised nanotubes (o-MWCNTs) was achieved by refluxing the tubes with multi-functional amines. The functionalised nanotubes were embedded in the epoxy resin and the resulting composite was investigated by transmission-electron microscopy (TEM). The functionalisation led to a reduced agglomeration and evidences are given for improved interaction between the nanotubes and the epoxy resin.     

Polystyrene grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Oxidised, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes can be grafted with polystyrene molecules using an situ radical polymerisation reaction, thereby dramatically modifying their solubility and their suitability for nanocomposite applications.     

Asymmetric end-functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Asymmetric end-functionalization of carbon nanotubes was achieved by sequentially floating a substrate-free aligned carbon nanotube film on two different photoreactive solutions with only one side of the nanotube film being contacted with the photoreactive solution and exposed to UV light each time. The resultant nanotubes with different chemical reagents attached onto their opposite tube-ends should be very useful for site-selective self-assembling of carbon nanotubes into many novel functional structures for various potential applications.     

Highly dispersed Pt catalysts on single-walled carbon nanotubes and their role in methanol oxidation

Well-dispersed Pt catalysts with very high utilization efficiencies for fuel cell reactions have been prepared by ethylene glycol reduction on polymer-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). By wrapping the SWCNTs in a polymer such as polystyrene sulfonate, we are able to break up the nanotube bundles to achieve better dispersion. These polymer-wrapped SWCNTs with platinum nanoparticles deposited on them show very high electrochemically active surface areas. The increase in utilization efficiencies for platinum catalysts on these SWCNT supports can be attributed to the increased surface areas and the well-dispersed nature of the carbon support and catalyst. The catalyst dispersion facilitates diffusion of reactant species which in turn results in higher methanol oxidation currents and more positive potentials for oxygen reduction.     

Functional-selected LiF-intercalated-graphene enabling ultra-stable lithium sulfur battery

Using a functionally selective solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) as an anodic protection layer can effectively avoid the subsequent settlement of uneven lithiu...     

Electrical properties study of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/hybrid-glass nanocomposites

Electrical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/hybrid-glass nanocomposites prepared by the fast-sol–gel reaction were investigated in light of percolation theory. A good correlation was found between the experimental results and the theory. We obtained a percolation threshold ? _c  = 0.22 wt%, and a critical exponent of t = 1.73. These values are reported for the first time for a silica-based system. The highest conductivity measured on the MWNT/hybrid-glass nanocomposites was σ ≈ 10^?3(Ω cm)^?1 for 2 wt% carbon nanotube (CNT) loading. The electrical conductivity was at least 12 orders of magnitude higher than that of pure silica. Electrostatic force microscopy and conductive-mode atomic force microscopy studies demonstrated conductivity at the micro-level, which was attributed to the CNT dispersed in the matrix. It appears that the dispersion in our MWNT/hybrid-glass system yields a particularly low percolation threshold compared with that of a MWNT/silica-glass system. Materials with electrical conductivities described in this work can be exploited for anti-static coating.     

Electrochemical properties of LiFePO4-multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite cathode materials for lithium polymer battery

LiFePO₄-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites were prepared by a hydrothermal method followed by ball-milling and heat treating. Cyclic voltammetry, ac impedance and galvanostatic charge/discharge testing results indicate that LiFePO₄-MWCNTs composite exhibits higher discharge capacity and rate capability than pure LiFePO₄ at high-rate at room temperature. It is demonstrated that the added MWCNTs not only increase the electronic conductivity and lithium-ion diffusion coefficient but also decrease crystallite size and charge transfer resistance of LiFePO₄-MWCNTs composite.     

Polymerized ionic liquid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyetherimide composites

Thin polyetherimide (PEI) films containing 0.1–3 wt.% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), have been prepared from three types of MWCNTs, namely pristine, oxidized and polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) functionalized CNTs. Oxidized and PIL functionalized CNTs (CNT–PIL) showed better dispersion in the matrix compared to pristine CNTs. For CNT–PIL, alignment of CNTs has been observed in the matrix. Regardless of the type of CNTs, their incorporation led to an increased thermal stability of the polymer matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that storage modulus increased by up to 25% (3 wt.% CNT–PIL) and an increase in the height of the damping peaks (tan δ). The addition of CNTs did not have any significant influence on the tensile properties and T_g of the polymer, and the electrical conductivity did not decrease in the case of modified CNTs.     

Fe-N-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for oxygen reduction reaction in acid

We report a facile synthesis of Fe-N-C catalysts based on the surface functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which show high activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid. Fe-N-MWCNT catalysts, whose ORR mass activities could vary by 3-4 times depending on the choice of Fe precursors, were found to have considerably higher ORR mass activity and higher stability than N-modified MWCNTs (N-MWCNTs). The Fe-N-MWCNT catalyst with a dominant Fe-N(x) moiety (with x ≈ 4) and a surface Fe/C ratio of ～0.004 exhibits the highest ORR mass activity in acid (～0.7 mA mg(-1)(Fe-N-MWCNT) at 0.8 V vs. RHE), where the lower mass activity of other Fe-N-MWCNT catalysts can be attributed to lower Fe/C ratios and Fe-N(x) moieties (with x smaller than 4) as revealed from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Moreover, the enhanced stability of Fe-N-MWCNTs in comparison to N-MWCNTs can be attributed to less H(2)O(2) production during ORR as determined from rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) measurements, and higher activity for H(2)O(2) electro-reduction by rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements. The large surface Fe/C ratio and Fe-N(x) moiety corresponding to high ORR activity and stability of Fe-N-MWCNTs demonstrate that surface functionalization can be very helpful to graft active catalytic sites onto carbon nanostructures, and to provide insights into the ORR mechanism of non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).     

Ligand-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for potentiometric detection of silver

Three novel hybrid materials have been synthesized by ligands: N-(2-vinylsulfanyl-ethylidene)-benzene-1,2-dimine (SBD), N-pyridin-2-ylmethylene-benzene-1,2-dimine (NBD) and N-furan-2-ylmethylene-benzene-1,2-dimine (OBD), covalently linking to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). These MWCNT hybrid materials were used both as ionophores and as ion-to-electron transducers to construct Ag(+) carbon paste electrodes. The resulting electrodes show higher selectivity to Ag(+) than other cations tested. Among the three electrodes, the electrode based on SBD-g-MWCNTs with optimum composition shows the best performance to Ag(+). It exhibits an excellent Nernstian response to Ag(+) in the concentration range from 8.8 × 10(-8) to 1.0 × 10(-1) M with a detection limit of 6.3 × 10(-8) M, and it can also be used over a wide pH range of 3.0-8.0 with a quick response time of 5 s. The response mechanism of the proposed electrode was also investigated by using AC impedance and UV-vis spectroscopy techniques.     

Synthesis of highly nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes

We present a new synthesis route for nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (CNx) based on the aerosol method. Tubes with a record high concentration of nitrogen (approximately 20 atom%) have been synthesized, confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). A strong correlation between the N/C ratio and morphology of the tubes is observed and discussed.     

Oxidation of dopamine on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Novel films consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by means of the chemical vapor deposition technique with decomposition of either acetonitrile (ACN) or benzene (BZ) in the presence of ferrocene (FeCp₂) which served as catalyst. The electrochemical response of the two different kinds of MWCNT-based films, further referred to as MWCNT-ACN and MWCNT-BZ, towards the oxidation of dopamine (DA) to dopamine-o-quinone (DAQ) was tested by means of cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both MWCNT-based films exhibit quasi-reversible response towards DA/DAQ with some slight kinetic differences; specifically, the charge-transfer process was found to be faster on MWCNT-ACN (k _s?=?35.3?×?10^?3 cm s^?1) compared to MWCNT-BZ (k _s?=?6.55?×?10^?3 cm s^?1). The detection limit of MWCNT-BZ for DA (0.30 μM) appears to be poorer compared to that of MWCNT-ACN (0.03 μM), but nevertheless, both MWCNT-based films exhibit greater detection ability compared to other electrodes reported in the literature. The sensitivities of MWCNT-ACN and MWCNT-BZ towards DA/DAQ were determined as 0.65 and 0.22?A M^?1 cm^?2, respectively. The findings suggest that the fabricated MWCNT-based electrodes can be successfully applied for the detection of molecules with biological interest.     

Solid-contact pH-selective electrode using multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are shown to be efficient transducers of the ionic-to-electronic current. This enables the development of a new solid-contact pH-selective electrode that is based on the deposition of a 35-μm thick layer of MWCNT between the acrylic ion-selective membrane and the glassy carbon rod used as the electrical conductor. The ion-selective membrane was prepared by incorporating tridodecylamine as the ionophore, potassium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate as the lipophilic additive in a polymerized methylmethacrylate and an n-butyl acrylate matrix. The potentiometric response shows Nernstian behaviour and a linear dynamic range between 2.89 and 9.90 pH values. The response time for this electrode was less than 10 s throughout the whole working range. The electrode shows a high selectivity towards interfering ions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry techniques were used to characterise the electrochemical behaviour and the stability of the carbon-nanotube-based ion-selective electrodes.     

Highly selective tryptophan enantiomers electrochemical chiral sensor based on poly-lysine and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A novel electrochemical chiral sensor was reported for recognizing tryptophan enantiomers based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by...     

Pharmacia and biological functionalities of nutrient broth dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A novel drug delivery system

A new drug delivery system was developed using the interaction of nutrient broth treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NBT-MWCNTs) and cefotaxime sodium (CTX) as a model. Investigated factors of the drug delivery system include dispersion effect, biocompatibility of NBT-MWCNTs, pharmacodynamic effect and delivery efficiency in vitro. It was found that MWCNTs can be well dispersed in the nutrient broth and stable at least for one week at 4 °C. The formed NBT-MWCNTs suspension scarcely exhibits toxicity to E. coli at concentrations lower than 10.24 μg/mL, but displays enhanced pharmacodynamic effect of CTX via its bridge effect and targeted transport. Compared with general acid treated MWCNTs (AT-MWCNTs), our present NBT-MWCNTs show good biocompatibility, enhanced pharmacodynamic effect, and high delivery efficiency.     

Pharmacia and biological functionalities of nutrient broth dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes:A novel drug delivery system

A new drug delivery system was developed using the interaction of nutrient broth treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes(NBT-MWCNTs) and cefotaxime sodium(CTX) as a model.Investigated factors of the drug delivery system include dispersion effect,biocompatibility of NBT-MWCNTs,pharmacodynamic effect and delivery efficiency in vitro.It was found that MWCNTs can be well dispersed in the nutrient broth and stable at least for one week at 4 °C.The formed NBT-MWCNTs suspension scarcely exhibits toxicity to E.coli a...