SiC nanowire film grown on the surface of graphite paper and its electrochemical performance

3C-SiC nanowire film is synthesized on graphite paper by carbothermal reduction method. The high-aspect-ratio nanowires are flexible and intertwisted with each other to form a porous network structure. Electrochemical properties of SiC nanowire film on the graphite paper substrate are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution, revealing ideal capacitive behavior and low contact resistance. The specific capacitances are 25.6 mF cm (2) at 0.2 A cm (2), 37 mF cm (2) at 0.3 A cm (2), 28 mF cm (2) at 0.5 A cm (2) and 28 mF cm (2) at 2.0 A cm (2). 3C-SiC nanowire film exhibits 100% discharge capacity retention after 2000 cycles, showing excellent capacity retention. The 3-dimension porous network structure of graphite paper-supported SiC nanowire film contributes to the high electrochemical performance. The photoelectrocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen production process is also observed under visible light irradiation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.