Fabrication and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotube array electrode for supercapacitors

The multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) array was fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the template of porous alumina from the carbonaceous source of C2H2 in the presence of a catalyst of ferric metals. To utilize the external surface other than the inner surface of the carbon nanotubes, 1 mol/L sulfuric acid was applied to remove off the most part of AAO template on the carbon nanotube electrode. The electrochemical performances of the carbon nanotube array electrode were investigated by use of the cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and ac impedance methods for its application in supercapacitors. The specific capacitance of 365 F/g of the electrode was achieved with the discharge current density of 210 mA/g in the solution of 1 mol/L H2SO4. In addition, the carbon nanotube array electrode was found to have low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and good cycling stability. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.