Electrochemically Tuned Properties for Electrolyte-Free Carbon Nanotube Sheets

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2009-07, Vol.19 (14), p.2266-2272
• Main Authors: Zakhidov, Alexander A., Suh, Dong-Seok, Kuznetsov, Alexander A., Barisci, Joseph N., Muñoz, Edgar, Dalton, Alan B., Collins, Steve, Ebron, Von H., Zhang, Mei, Ferraris, John P., Zakhidov, Anvar A., Baughman, Ray H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: carbon nanotubes; charge transport; electrodes; supercapacitors
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200900253

Injecting high electronic charge densities can profoundly change the optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of materials. Such charge injection in bulk materials has traditionally involved either dopant intercalation or the maintained use of a contacting electrolyte. Tunable electrochemical charge injection and charge retention, in which neither volumetric intercalation of ions nor maintained electrolyte contact is needed, are demonstrated for carbon nanotube sheets in the absence of an applied field. The tunability of electrical conductivity and electron field emission in the subsequent material is presented. Application of this material to supercapacitors may extend their charge‐storage times because they can retain charge after the removal of the electrolyte. Tunable electrochemical charge injection and charge retention, in which neither volumetric ion intercalation nor maintained electrolyte contact is needed, are demonstrated for carbon nanotube sheets in the absence of an applied field (see figure). The tunability of electrical conductivity and electron field emission in the subsequent material is presented, along with how these sheets may be used in supercapacitors.