Graphene oxide-embedded porous carbon nanofiber webs by electrospinning for capacitive deionization

Novel freestanding graphene oxide (GO)-embedded porous carbon nanofiber (PCNF) webs were prepared by electrospinning from polyacrylonitrile and GO, followed by carbonization and steam activation, and their electrosorptive performance as binder-free electrodes in capacitive deionization was evaluated. Both GO-PCNF and PCNF demonstrated higher electrosorptive capacities than commercial activated carbon fiber by virtue of smaller diameter and shallower pores. More importantly, GO-PCNF webs processed higher mesopore ratio and electrical conductivity due to GO embedment, which could lead to reduced ion-transport obstacle and enhanced electrical double-layer capacitance, compared to pristine PCNF. Thus, GO-PCNF electrode exhibited better deionization performance.