Challenges and rewards of the electrosynthesis of macroscopic aligned carbon nanotube array/conducting polymer hybrid assemblies

Abstract

Hybrid assemblies based on conducting polymers and carbon nanomaterials with organized nanoscale structure are excellent candidates for various application schemes ranging from thermal management to electrochemical energy conversion and storage. In the case of macroscopic samples, however, precise control of the nanoscale structure has remained a major challenge to be solved for the scientific community. In this study we demonstrate possible routes to homogeneously infiltrate poly(3hexylthiophene), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and polyaniline into macroscopic arrays of vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTAs). Electron microscopic images and Raman spectroscopic analysis (performed along the longitudinal dimension of the hybrid samples) both confirmed that optimization of the electropolymerization circumstances allowed fine tuning of the hybrid structure towards the targeted application. In this vein, three different application avenues were tested. The remarkable anisotropy in both the electrical and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites makes them eminently attractive candidates to be deployed in thermal management. Thermoelectric studies, aimed to understand the effect of organized nanoscale morphology on the important parameters (Seebeck coefficient, electrical-, and thermal conductivity) compared to their non-organized hybrid counterparts. Finally, extraordinary high charge storage capacity values were registered for the MWCNTA/ PANI hybrids (500 F g 21 and 1-3 F cm 22 ). V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1507-1518

Electrodeposition of Inorganic Oxide/Nanocarbon Composites: Opportunities and Challenges

“…electronic conductivity) of these materials. For example, in a recent study, a possible route for homogeneously infiltrating an organic semiconductor (conjugated polymer) into macroscopic arrays of vertically aligned MWCNTs was demonstrated by using electrodeposition . These composite materials showed a huge anisotropy in the thermal and electrical properties.…”

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/single-walled carbon nanotube array hybrid materials

“…The structure is loose, offering considerably large space for polymer electrodeposition. In comparison with our recently reported results on macroscopic MWCNT arrays [28], two differences were observed: the diameter of the tubes used in this study is obviously smaller; further, the average distance and thus the free volume among the tubes are larger in the case of the SWCNTs. These features can evidently explain the necessity of the different electrodeposition methods, used for the two substrates.…”

“…This effect is rationalized by three reasons: (i) the increased resistance of the thickening polymer layer; (ii) the continuously decreasing electroactive surface area, caused by the filling of the SWCNT array; and (iii) mass-transport limitation, arising because of both the thickening polymer layer and the narrowing of diffusion channels in the structure. This latter assumption is strengthened by our former findings, when a potentiodynamic method was applied for the electrodeposition of P3HT on MWCNT arrays with macroscopic size [28]. In that case, the electroactivity of the composite reached a maximum value after a certain number of polymerization cycles.…”

“…In a recent publication, we presented a comprehensive study on the formation and properties of CP/macroscopic sized multi-walled carbon nanotube array (MWCNTA) composites, where a uniform coverage of the carbon filaments was obtained via potentiostatic deposition [28]. At properly adjusted synthesis conditions, a complete filling of the space among the tubes was achieved.…”

Electrical anisotropy and multidimensional pressure sensor of aligned Fe3O4@silver nanowire/polyaniline composite films under an extremely low magnetic field

“…Various advanced functional materials such as transparent lms, 9,10 thermal conductive lms, 11,12 ion-exchange membranes 13 and liquid-crystalline lms, 14 have been fabricated based on anisotropic nanostructures such as arrays, sheets and ropes. These anisotropic nanostructures were constructed via various methods, such as external electrical/magnetic eldassisted fabrication, 3,7 chemical-vapor-deposition-grown method, 12,15 self-assembly, 8,16 electro-synthesis, 17 mechanical shear 4 like stretching, 18 spinning 19 and extrusion, 20 thermal press 21 and annealing. 22 Among these, a magnetic eld-assisted process is attractive due to its ease in controlling anisotropic nanostructures in the macro-range.…”