title: Electrochemically functionalized carbon nanotubes and their application to rechargeable lithium batteries.
abstract: Electrochemical polymerization of N-vinyl carbazole (VC) on carbon nanotube (CNT) films was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in LiClO4/acetonitrile solutions. Comparing the cyclic voltammograms recorded on a blank Pt electrode with those obtained when single- or multi-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT or MWNT) films were previously deposited onto the Pt electrode, a downshift of the VC reduction peak potential is observed in the latter case. The influences of monomer concentration, type of solvent, and supporting electrolyte on the polymerization conditions and electrochemical properties of these composite materials are also investigated. The morphological aspects of poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVC)-functionalized CNTs are revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. A covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with PVC is invoked as a result of attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopic studies. Using PVC-functionalized CNTs as a positive electrode and an electrolytic solution containing LiPF6, the charge-discharge characteristics of the rechargeable lithium cells are determined. High specific discharge capacity (approximately 45 and 115 mA h g(-1)) is reported for PVC-functionalized single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (CSIC), Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baibarac
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lira-Cantú
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oró-Solé
authors.forename: Nieves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Casañ-Pastor
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gomez-Romero
mesh_terms: D004563:Electrochemistry; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers; D008094:Lithium