Surface Transformation of Carbon Nanofibers via Co-Electrospinning with Natural Rubber and Ni Doping for Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Supercapacitor Applications
Songwuit Chanthee, Channarong Asavatesanupap, Darunee Sertphon, Thanigan Nakkhong, Nakarin Subjalearndee, Malee Santikunaporn
Abstract
Three distinctive morphologies of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the surface were successfully fabricated by electrospinning technique.The polymeric precursor was prepared by dissolving polyacrylonitrile (PAN), natural rubber (NR) cup lump and nickel-pyridine complex in a one-pot solution.The PAN-based polymeric solution, doped with various amounts of Ni, NR and NR-Ni was electrospun to create polymeric fibers, and then stabilized and carbonized to obtain PAN composite nanofibers.Smooth surfaces were found on all NR doped and Ni (5 wt%) doped CNFs.Pores and spots on the CNFs' surface occurred on Ni doped CNFs at 10 and 15 wt%, respectively.Interestingly, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) growth on the CNF surface was found in NR-10Ni@CNF samples.Depending on preparation technique, Ni 0 nanoparticles also formed in CNFs with small size (25 nm) promoting CNTs formation, and large size (200-400 nm) creating pores on the CNF surface.CNTs growth on the carbon fiber surface was successfully achieved using trace amounts of NR with Ni samples.From the supercapacitor electrode and CO2 adsorption tests, the 1NR-10Ni@CNF electrode showed double the specific capacitance of the PAN electrode while the 5Ni@CNF presented a CO2 adsorption 4.0 and 2.9 times higher than the PAN@CNF at 273 and 298 K, respectively.