Electrospun carbon nanofiber web electrode: Supercapacitor behavior in various electrolytes

Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) draw great interest due to their noticeable mechanical, electrochemical, and physical properties. In this study, polyacrylonitrile-based CNFs are obtained via electrospinning technique. Thermal oxidation and low temperature (950 8C) carbonization are applied to the electrospun web in order to achieve CNF. Through the process, Fourier transform infraredattenuated total reflectance spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopic results are investigated. The electrochemical properties of the self-standing CNF webs are examined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. In addition, various electrolyte solutions are studied to investigate the capacitive behavior of CNF webs. Electrolyte type variation has a significant effect on the capacitance results and high capacitance values are achieved in aqueous solution. According to the differing electrolyte types, specific capacitance values (C sp ) are recorded between 204 and 149 F g 21 where maximum specific capacitance is obtained in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 as 204 F g 21 .

Polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl alcohol‐based porous carbon nanofiber electrodes for supercapacitor applications

“…Supercapacitors stand out with their superior characteristics such as high energy and power density, quick charge/discharge, wide working temperature ranges, and long cycle life 2‐4 . Although supercapacitors still find use in vehicles such as hybrid energy systems, and digital telecommunication systems, they can also be used in wearable electronics applications, as they can be made from flexible and lightweight materials 5‐10 …”

Fabrication and electrochemical characterization of polyimide‐derived carbon nanofibers for self‐standing supercapacitor electrode materials

“…Ismar et al . have also fabricated PAN‐derived CNF webs as supercapacitor electrode materials via electrospinning, thermal oxidation, and low temperature carbonization . They found that specific capacitance values of the PAN‐derived CNF webs are in the range of 149‐204 F/g, depending on the electrolyte type.…”

“…7 Carbon materials are widely used for supercapacitor electrode materials due to their low cost, high performance, and versatile existing forms such as powders, fibers, felts, and composites. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Especially, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have high electrical conductivity, specific surface area, mechanical stability, and electrolyte wettability. 14 CNFs can be fabricated simply and efficiently by carbonizing electrospun polymeric nanofibers.…”

“…16 The PAN-derived CNFs were characterized to have relatively high electrical conductivity of 80 S/cm, which was owing to the enhanced physical contacts among nanofibers by hot-pressing at 200 C. Ismar et al have also fabricated PAN-derived CNF webs as supercapacitor electrode materials via electrospinning, thermal oxidation, and low temperature carbonization. 12 They found that specific capacitance values of the PAN-derived CNF webs are in the range of 149-204 F/g, depending on the electrolyte type. Kim et al reported that polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based CNFs with a diameter of 250 nm, which were fabricated by electrospnning, carbonization, and steam activation, have specific capacitance of 125-178 F/g, depending on the activation temperature.…”

Facile synthesis of poly[1‐p (tolylsulfonyl) pyrrole] via Ce (IV)‐pyrrole redox initiating system and polyacrylonitrile blended nanofibers

“…Capacitor component was parallel to the constant phase element (Q) and Rct units. CPE was applied to the circuit model together with the n, which is the correction factor due to porous and inhomogeneity of the structure; if n is equal to 1, it shows the ideal capacitor . Figure A represents the equivalent circuit modelling of EIS data with components Rs, Rct, C, and Q, while Table gives the fitting parameters of impedance data according to EIS measurements.…”