A study of activated carbon nanotubes as double-layer capacitors electrode materials

Activated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced by acid treatment. The activated CNTs and the initial CNTs were both used as the electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) electrode materials. The activated CNTs had much higher BET specific surface area, pore volume and lower volume ratio of micropores than those of the initial CNTs. Moreover, some kinds of functional groups were added on the surface of activated CNTs. The specific capacitance of the CNTs activated by mixture acid of H2SO4 and HNO3 was above 2.5 times that of the initial CNTs. The activated CNTs and the initial CNTs were both examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectrum apparatus. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.