Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotubes used as cathode materials for Al–air batteries from a renewable source of water hyacinth

Abstract

Water hyacinth (WH) is a noxious weed. Its rapid growth can clog waterways, causing widespread ecological and environmental threats as well as power generation and irrigation issues. In the present study, water hyacinth was utilized as a precursor to synthesize multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a simple chemical vapor deposition method. FESEM-EDS revealed that the synthesized MWCNTs had noodle-like, dense, and rough surfaces. TEM confirmed that MWCNTs had a bamboo-like structure with the diameter of 30–40 nm, and the wall thickness of approximately 7 nm. The interlayer distance was found to be approximately 0.34 by XRD. Raman spectra displayed three major bands of MWCNTS: D-band at 1,340 cm−1, G-band at 1,596 cm−1, and (D + G)-band between 2,783 and 2,953 cm−1. The ratio of the D-to-G band intensity was 0.94 ± 0.03, indicating that the synthesized MWCNTs had well degree of graphitization. Electrochemical measurement results of the prepared MWCNTs cathode for aluminum–air battery showed that MWCNTs exhibited higher energy capacity than commercial graphite. Collectively, this study shows that water hyacinth could be used effectively as a precursor for the production of MWCNTs, thus successfully converting the noxious weed into high value-added materials.

Keywords

• carbon nanotubes
• water hyacinth
• aluminum–air battery