Carbon nanofiber as a complementary functional material for use in the energy and environment fields

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have unique structural characteristics, such as a nanometer diameter, a fibrous structure, and high crystallinity, and thus, are expected to be promising important materials for energy and environment applications. However, difficulties in handling and the high production costs of CNFs often hamper the industrialization of products from CNF alone. On the other hand, hybridization of CNF with other materials can improve their weaknesses, increase performance, and/or give them new abilities. In this paper, we introduce the effectiveness of CNFs as complementary functional materials especially for applications in the energy and environment fields, such as Li-ion secondary batteries, fuel cells, electric double-layer capacitors, and air purification. 2013 (No. 260) 313–9.]