Morphology and electrical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/carbon aerogel prepared by using polyacrylonitrile as precursor

Abstract

Here, we present the synthesis and characterization of low-density multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/carbon (CA) aerogel by creating a three-dimensional assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution to create a stable gel, followed by a CO₂ supercritical drying. Aerogels with varying nanotube loading (0–25 wt%) and density (50–500 mg cm⁻³) were fabricated and characterized by optical microscopy, electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption and electrical conductivity analysis. Physical properties of the MWCNT/CA composites were highly dependent upon nanotube loading. The data indicate that the shrinkage value decreases gradually during drying and pyrolysis process when MWCNT content increases in formulations. Surface area as high as 735 m² g⁻¹ was achieved for MWCNT/PAN aerogel with carbon nanotube loading higher than 20 wt%.