Synthesis of carbon nanotubes on carbon fabric for use as electrochemical capacitor

The electrochemical behavior of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fabric decorated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was examined by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge cycling. A chemical vapor deposition was employed for decorating the CNTs onto PAN-based carbon fabrics, using acetylene and Ni nanoparticle as the carbon precursor and catalyst, respectively. N-2 physisorption indicated that the introduction of nanotubes improves the mesopore fraction of carbon fabrics. The electrochemical behavior of the carbon electrodes in H2SO4 indicated that the presence of nanotubes not only decreases the distributed capacitance effect and inner resistance but also enhances the double-layer formation and the high-rate capability. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.