A Single-Step Process for Preparing Supercapacitor Electrodes from Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

This paper introduces an easy single-step process for preparing the supercapacitor electrode from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which were directly grown on a nickel foam framework by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Due to the hierarchical porous structure and robust CNT-metal contacts, the present electrode exhibits better capacitive performance and lower internal resistance than the regular transfer method. Its specific capacitance of 25 F/g is 127 % higher than the value of the electrode prepared by the transfer method. This work proposes a simple, effective and eco-nomical approach for preparing a supercapacitor electrode without additional catalysts and pre- or post-treatments.