One-pot synthesis of carbon nanotube-graphene hybrids via syngas production

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are limited by entanglement, and it is rather difficult to prevent graphene stacking in a polymer composite. These two challenges can be addressed by developing a MWCNT-graphene hybrid where MWCNTs and graphene are born as twins. We in this study employed a syngas production method using microwave irradiation for a one-pot synthesis of porous, crumpled and loose MWCNT-graphene hybrids, investigated the substrate compositions, measured their performance as electrodes for energy storage devices, and proposed the synthesis mechanisms. A number of hybrids, including MWCNT-graphene, MWCNT-cup-stacked CNT and MWCNT-graphitic nanofiber, were synthesized on Cr-Ni, Fe-Ni and Ni-CeO2 substrates, respectively. TEM analysis shows that the two challenges have been markedly addressed in the hybrids. They performed better in terms of capacitive properties than commercial MWCNTs.