• Energy Research

The processing of graphene coated NiO–Ni anode using one CVD system delivered high Li-ion battery performance.

We present a novel binder-free multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) structure as an anode in Li ion batteries. The interface-controlled MWCNT structure, synthesized through a two-step process of catalyst deposition and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and directly grown on a copper current collector, showed very high specific capacity, almost three times as that of graphite, excellent rate capability even at a charging/discharging rate of 3 C, and no capacity degradation up to 50 cycles. Significantly enhanced properties of this anode could be related to high Li ion intercalation on the carbon nanotube walls, strong bonding with the substrate, and excellent conductivity.

Abstract We prepared electrospun polymer nanofibers by the electrospinning method and investigated about their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrospun poly(vinylidenefluoride–co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF–HFP) and PVDF–HFP/polystyrene (PS) blend nanofibers were prepared and examined the uptake, the ionic conductivity, and the porosity by impedance measurement and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The best results of Voc, Jsc, FF, and efficiency of the DSSC devices using the electrospun PVDF–HFP/PS(3:1) blend nanofibers were 0.76 V, 11.8 mA/cm2, 0.66, and 5.75% under AM 1.5.