Carbon nanocoils for multi-functional energy applications

Abstract

Bulk manufacturing of nanomaterials with multifunctional properties is fundamental to their applications. Here we describe large scale production of carbon nanotubular coils by a scalable catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique using a hydrogen decrepitated alloy hydride thin film catalyst supported on flexible carbon fabric. Several energy-related applications of this material, such as catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and electrodes for supercapacitors are evaluated. The nanocoil material showed improved performance over previously reported carbon nanomaterials suggesting high potential for this material for practical applications.