A Novel Approach to Open “Dead Space” and Modify Interfacial Features of Carbon Nanotube Assemblies by a Microwave Shock

Abstract

AbstractDespite 30‐year development of carbon nanotube (CNT) based materials, harnessing the outstanding nanoscale properties of individual CNT for macroscale applications remains challenging. High specific surface area, a crucial feature of CNTs, often suffers from the formation of tightly packed bundles with inaccessible “dead space”. Herein, a novel “microwave shock” approach to open the “dead space” trapped within bundles is reported. Employing N2 ambient during microwave irradiation, CNT bundles undergo an efficient structural alteration and interfacial modification simultaneously due to the strong radiative coupling, while the graphitic structure remains undamaged. In this way, a 15‐fold increase (from 42 to 648 m2 g−1) in the interstitial surface area as well as the lithiophilic functionalization (≈1 atom% nitrogen doping) are achieved without the degradation of other properties. Furthermore, to highlight the merits of this microwave shock process, the treated CNT films are applied as a host material for the anode in a lithium metal battery and demonstrate the suppression of dendritic lithium growth and improve cycling stability. This microwave shock approach provides an efficient avenue to modify nanocarbon‐based materials for further applications.