Carbon nanofibers and their applications for energy storage

Carbon nanofibers can be produced in relatively large scale from the catalytic decomposition of certain hydrocarbons on small metal particles. These materials possess some rather unique properties that may find use in a number of electrochemical energy storage systems including primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical capacitors. The structure and properties of the nanofibers can be controlled at the nanometer-level by manipulating the process variables. Although the use of carbon nanofibers in electrochemical capacitors is emphasized, the potential use of these materials in other energy storage systems is addressed