(42d) 3D Carbon Nanomaterial/Metal Nanowire Hybrid Composite Electrodes Via Electrostatic Self-Assembly for Energy Storage and Conversion

3D Carbon Nanomaterial/Metal Nanowire Hybrid Composite Electrodes via Electrostatic Self-Assembly for Energy Storage and Conversion

Dr. Enoch A. Nagelli^*, COL F. John Burpo, MAJ Stephen Winter, Dr. Kamil Woronowicz, CDT Jenny Wang, CDT An Vu, CDT Dade Mortimer, CDT Jack Bui

Department of Chemistry & Life Science

United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996

 

^*Corresponding Author: Dr. Enoch Nagelli, Email: enoch.nagelli@usma.edu

 

The superior electron carrier mobility, thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties of carbon nanomaterials have led to the rapid development of applications for high speed electronics, chemical and biological sensing, optoelectronics, and energy storage and conversion. However, the incorporation of carbon nanomaterials into these applications requires the precise connection of individual components with other materials at the molecular level where chemical interaction is significant.^1,2 In this regard, chemical functionalization has played a critical role in facilitating the integration of carbon nanomaterials into useful “building-blocks” and functional components in these diverse applications.^1,2 The functionalization of carbon nanomaterials can alter electronic band structure, doping, and affinity for other organic, inorganic, and biological materials. For example, the site-specific functionalization of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is essential to modify the region-specific properties to gain the surface characteristics required for particular applications as well as to covalently/non-covalently link carbon nanomaterials of different properties together into various device elements. Controlled chemical functionalization is a very useful approach to various multidimensional and multifunctional systems critical to applications such as nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, nanosensors, and nanoenergy systems.^1,2

Moreover, there is a pressing need to integrate carbon nanomaterials into multidimensional and multifunctional systems with spatially well-defined configurations. The controlled assembly of graphene and CNTs still remains to be a challenge. Self-assembly has been recognized as an effective strategy for the bottom–up synthesis of 3D macrostructures using graphene and CNTs as building blocks.^1,2 Here we report a novel, simplistic, and scalable methodology utilizing a solution based electrostatic self-assembly technique for the formation of novel 3D noble metal nanowire composites with both graphene and carbon nanotubes. For example, we demonstrate an easy and scalable method for controlled functionalization and assembly of noble metal nanowires onto graphene sheets or CNTs utilizing a new solution based electrostatic assembly process to form nanocomposite electrodes consisting of various noble metal and different carbon nanomaterial allotropes. This novel method of assembly can lead to research and development of high performance nanocomposite materials and structures that will enable innovative concepts for engineered hybrid structures to develop new energy storage and conversion devices.

References:

1. L. Dai, “Intelligent Macromolecules for Smart Devices: From Materials Synthesis to Device Applications”, Springer: Berlin, 2004.

2. L. Dai, (Ed.) “Carbon Nanotechnology: Recent Developments in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Device Applications”, Elsevier: Amsterdam, 2006.

3. E. Nagelli, R. Naik, Y. Xue, Y. Gao, M. Zhang, and L. Dai “Sensor arrays from multicomponent micropatterned nanoparticles and graphene” Nanotechnology 2013, 24, 444010.

4. D. Yu, E. Nagelli, R. Naik, and L. Dai “Asymmetrically Functionalized Graphene for Photodependent Diode Rectifying Behavior” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 6575.