Morphology and Capacitance Properties of Nanostructured Composites of Carbon Nanostructures and C₆₀-Pd Nanoparticles

Abstract

The composites of C 60 -Pd polymer and carbon nanostructures, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and graphene, were synthesized chemically in benzene solution containing zero-valent Pd complex, C 60 , and carbon nanostructure. Two kinds of morphologies are observed on the surface of carbon nanoparticles during polymer deposition. Initially, a thin layer of 5 nm C 60 -Pd polymeric nanoparticles is formed. Next, these particles aggregate into bigger spherical structures ca. 150 nm in diameter. The capacitance performance of synthetized materials was investigated. Specific capacitances per mass of the polymer in the composite are significantly higher in comparison to pure chemically formed polymeric material. This effect is related to the nanostructured morphology of composite resulting in the higher efficiency of charge accumulation.Since carbon nanotubes were discovered, 1 a lot of work was dedicated to the development of materials containing nanotubes and conducting polymers. 2-10 These systems possess novel properties with superior characteristics than either of the individual components. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Carbon nanotube films with a high surface area allow electrochemical deposition or chemical polymerization of significant amounts of conducting polymers. Composites of conducting polymers with carbon nanotubes are promising electrode materials as supercapacitors because of their good conductivity, high surface area and their good ability to store energy. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Recently, a lot of attention has been also focused on graphene -the newest carbon material, which is preferred over other conventional carbon materials due to the ease synthesis, cost effectiveness, high theoretical specific surface area, high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength and chemical stability comparable with or even better than CNTs. 26,27 Electrodes composed of graphene sheets exhibit relatively good capacitance properties. 28-30 Graphene was also successfully used for formation of composites with conjugated polymers. These materials exhibit very promising capacitance properties. 31-36 However, the electrochemical behavior of graphene strongly depends on the synthesis method and functionalization of its surface. [37][38][39] So far, most studies have been limited to p-type polymers, such as polypyrrole, polyaniline, poliothiophene, and their derivatives. [40][41][42][43][44][45][46] We developed an electrochemical procedure for the formation of two-component fullerene films based on the electroreduction carried out in a solution containing fullerene 47-52 or fullerene derivatives 53-55 and various transition metal complexes. In these polymers, fullerene moieties are covalently bonded to transition metal atoms or their complexes to form a polymeric network. These materials exhibit electrochemical activity in the negative potential range due to the good electron-accepting properties of the fullerene moieties. The electropolymerization and electrochemical ...

Two-Component Polymeric Materials of Fullerenes and the Transition Metal Complexes: A Bridge between Metal–Organic Frameworks and Conducting Polymers

“…To enhance the capacitance performance of fullerene polymers, composites of carbon nanoparticles and poly-Pd n C 60 were synthesized. − The composites of conducting polymers and carbon nanoparticles, such us single- and multiwall carbon nanotubes or graphene, combine properties of both components, resulting in materials of high electrical conductivity and large surface area . In these composites, the charge storage mechanism of redox pseudocapacity of a conducting polymer is combined with the electrostatic attraction and outstanding mechanical properties of carbon nanoparticles .…”

Fullerene‐Based Conducting Polymers:n‐Dopable Materials for Charge Storage Application

“…Currently, most researchers have focused on the preparation of composites based on the coordination of a two-component polymer composed of palladium and fullerene C 60 with both single-and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs). [205][206][207][208][209][210] Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit outstanding physical and chemical properties, including a remarkably high chemical stability, low density, large specific surface area, and exceptionally high mechanical modulus and strength. [211] Moreover, the incorporation of CNTs into conducting polymers leads to changes in their electrical and mechanical properties.…”

“…Composites of carbon nanostructures and fullerene-coordinated polymers have also been prepared chemically by reacting C 60 with the palladium(0) complex in the presence of carbon nanostructures in the solution. [207,215] To date, chemically prepared composites of poly-C 60 Pd 3 with MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and graphene have been investigated. The polymer was depo sited in the form of spherical nanoparticles.…”

“…A similar behavior was observed for the SWCNT/poly-C 60 Pd 3 composite. [207] In most of the composites of fullerene-based polymers and carbon nanostructures, van der Walls interactions between both components are responsible for the synergistic effect. Recently, hybrid materials based on covalent interactions between graphene and fullerene polymeric structures were reported.…”

“…[232] The mCF supported on carbon cloth exhibits specific capacitance equals to 440 Fg −1 that is comparable with specific capacitance observed for fullerene polymers, [6,7] but still lower than specific capacitance obtained for composites materials based on fullerenes. [205,207] In the case of carbon cloth/mCF elecroactive material, the charge is stored due to the faradaic reduction of fullerene cages and accumulation in double layer. Carbon cloth material provides large charge mobility and propagation.…”