Growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber: thermal and electrochemical treatments

Abstract

Composite electrodes of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) were synthesized on carbon fiber (CF) substrate by pyrolysis of camphor/ferrocene using a SiO2 interlayer as a barrier against metal diffusion into the substrate. Two treatments were used to remove iron from CF/VACNT structure: thermal annealing at high temperature under inert atmosphere and electrochemical oxidation in H2SO4 solution. the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman scattering spectroscopy. Besides, the electrochemical behavior of CF/VACNT was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge tests. CF/VACNT composite submitted to the electrochemical oxidation showed the best electrochemical performance, with high specific capacitance, which makes it very attractive as electrode for supercapacitors.