Carbon Nanotubes/Cellulose Composite Paper as Electrodes for Supercapacitor

Abstract

Whisker multiwalled carbon nanotubes (WMWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Paper fibers were used as matrix material, WMWCNTs and MWCNTs as functional material. Paper fibers were mixed with dispersed WMWCNTs and MWCNTs by speed-cutting procedure in water. Then the composite papers were fabricated by vacuum filtration method. The electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor was tested by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge. The testing results indicate the supercapacitor has a maximum capacitance of 120F/g at a scan rate of 1mV/s and has a specific capacitance of 51.5F/g at 0.4A/g. The maximum energy density and power density reach 63.7Wh/kg and 3.99kW/kg respectively in the current range of 0.4-1.4A/g.

Keywords

• whisker carbon nanotubes
• carbon nanotubes
• supercapacitor
• paper fiber