Abstract
Spontaneously-dissolved, negatively-charged SWCNTs were cross-linked using p-diiodobenzene to produce ultralight, high surface area cryogels with high conductivity, suitable for supercapacitors application.
Highlights
View Article OnlineCross-linked single-walled carbon nanotube aerogel electrodes via reductive coupling chemistry†
A new approach to cross-linking converts solutions of individualised single-walled carbon nanotube anions into covalent, carbon-bonded aerogels, with low density, high surface area, and high conductivity, showing promise as supercapacitor electrodes
The resulting highly porous (99.8%, Table S6†), low density (2–3 mg cmÀ3) cryogels exhibited minimal shrinkage (
Summary
Cross-linked single-walled carbon nanotube aerogel electrodes via reductive coupling chemistry†. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been assembled into three-dimensional architectures, in order to combine their intriguing properties (mechanical,[1,2] thermal[3] and electrical,[4] very high aspect ratio and high surface area5) with the unique features of porous networks.[6] To this end, SWCNTs have been trapped within other gel-forming systems such as polymers,[7,8,9] DNA,[10] surfactants,[11] silica[12] and resorcinol– formaldehyde.[13] To avoid the contaminating, o en insulating, secondary gel-former, SWCNTs have been cross-linked using a range of strategies, including cycloaddition reactions,[14] Sonogashira coupling,[15] linking of pre-introduced carboxyl[16] or hydroxyl[17] functionalities with bi- (or tri)-functional reagents, and even dry via electron beam irradiation.[18] existing methods tend to degrade the SWCNTs aspect ratio, damage the carbon framework and debundle inefficiently.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call