Ferrocene functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as supercapacitor electrodes

Modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized by a redox-active ferrocene (Fc-MWCNTs) were successfully synthesized to enhance the electrochemical performance of MWCNTs for supercapacitor application. The ferrocene moieties were attached to the surface of MWCNTs via a thiourea linker with anionsinteracting capability. The Fc-MWCNTs were characterized using XPS, FTIR, SEM, TGA, DTG, and XRF methods. The electrochemical performance details were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The Fc-MWCNTs electrode showed excellent capacity retention (90.8% over 5000 cycles) and a specific capacitance of 50 Fg(-1) at 025 A g(-1) that is several times higher as compared to the pristine MWCNTs. The fabricated Fc-MWCNTs is proposed to be a suitable and promising candidate for energy storage material. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.