Preparparation of Carbon Nanofiber Electrodes Derived from Poly(AN-co-VIM) and Their Electrochmemical Performance Measured Using Pouch Cells

DOI: 10.5176/2301-3761_CCECP16.39

Authors: Kyung-Hye Jung, Wenjin Deng, Dennis W. Smith Jr., and John P Ferraris

Abstract:

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes were prepared by using a new precursor polymer, poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylimidazole), which shows effective cyclization of polymer chains during thermal treatments compared to a typical precursor, polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Raman spectroscopy confirmed successful conversion of the precursor polymer into carbon. Cyclic voltammetry results showed the CNF electrode derived from poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylimidazole) has superior electrochemical properties those from PAN. Also, pouch cells were assembled to examine energy storage performance of CNF electrodes, and a box-like cyclic voltammetry was obtained with a specific capacitance of 0.4F.

Keywords: carbon nanofibers; supercapacitors; carbon nanofiber electrodes; poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylimidazole); coin cells; pouch cells