Electrochemical properties of ultra-long, aligned, carbon nanotube array electrode in organic electrolyte

The electrochemical properties of an electrochemical double-layer capacitor electrode based on an ultra-long (500 μm), aligned, carbon nanotube array (ACNTA) in Et4NPF6/propylene carbonate electrolyte are examined. The specific capacitance of the ACNTA electrode in an organic electrolyte is 24.5 F g−1, which is larger than that obtained in an aqueous electrolyte. The results of ac impedance measurements show that the ACNTA electrode gives a high power density and an excellent rate capability in an organic electrolyte. It is shown that the ACNTA electrode has a lower equivalent series resistance and a better rate capability than activated carbon electrode. This is due to the fact that ACNTA possesses a larger pore size and a more a regular pore structure. Both these features are conformed by scanning electron microscopic and nitrogen gas adsorption studies.