Electrophoretic deposition of network-like carbon nanofiber as a conducting substrate for nanostructured nickel oxide electrode

A vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCF) film with network-like architecture was fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in the isopropanol suspension containing Ni(NO₃)₂ additive. Nickel ions adsorbed on the VGCFs increase the zeta potential of VGCFs, consequently, the EPD rate and nanofiber dispersion are remarkably improved. Nickel deposition is accompanied by reducing the nickel ions on the surface of VGCFs. Nickel appears to be suitable as a conducting metal binder for attaching the VGCFs. EPD of the nickel oxide on VGCF-coated film exhibits excellent capacitive behavior compared with that bare NiO electrode, resulting from the reduced electron conducting and charge-transfer resistances.