Synthesis/Functionalization Of Carbon Nanotubes And Application In Energy Storage

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were found in1991by Iijima S, it became the researsh hostpot in Physics, Chemistry and Materials science due to its special hollow structure. Much effort has been invested in the study of CNTs and the results demonstrate that the properties of mechanics, optics, electrics and chemistry are superior for CNTs. With the deep study, it was reported that the one dimensional structure of CNTs make its intensity and modulus of elasticity better, specific surface area higher and electrical conductivity more excellent which make CNTs reveal enormous potential value in applications fields. Especially, for the energy science based on hydrogen and lithium storage, the performances in adsorption, catalysis and storage are outstanding so that CNTs have been regarded as a proming electrode materials.This article was based on the basic conditions of our laboratory, and the controlled synthesis of morphology of the electrode material is designed as a starting point. According to the study of the growth mechanism of CNTs and controllable factors of synthesis, welled aligned CNTs is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Meanwhile, relative electrochemistry properties was tested. On the other hand, based on the preparation of CNTs we completed the functionalization of CNTs and the property testing. And the compare between CNTs and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (CNx-NTs) have been completed. The major works have been described as follows:(1) In the present work, we prepared CNTs and CNx-NTs via CVD methods. Ferrocene, melamine and ethylene were used as catalyst and precursor, respectively. We studied the morphology and microstructure of the samples through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Laser Raman spectroscopy (LAMAN).It was shown that after introducing nitrogen the hollow structure also can be seen. However, drape on the surface can be detected and the size of diameter increases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to find the reason of the change and the results shown nitrogen content could be detected after doping which can be regard as the origin of the chage.(2) We prepared electrodes with the samples as anode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and relative performances were tested. The results shown after doping the electrochemistry properties increase in capacities, cycle performance, rate performance and electric conductance.