Applications of Carbon Nanofiber CHEM26S Research Class: Dr. Liu's Lab
Introduction/Fabrication of CNF
In Dr. Liu’s Nanomaterials lab, the synthesis and applications of Carbon Nanofiber (CNF) were explored. CNF has similar applications to the Carbon Nanotube (CNT), however in comparison it is easier to process/functionalize, due to its larger pore size, and is a lower overall cost. Carbon Nanofiber can act as a supercapacitor, facilitating paper based electronics (film transistors, active matrix displays, [...]
Electrochemical Deposition
Carbon Nanofiber can act as a supercapacitor, facilitating paper based electronics. To explore this further, we fabricated a supercapacitor using CNT, CNF, and manganese oxides. We then characterized their electrochemical properties in a three electrode system. A procedure modeled after a previous experiment was used (http://www.citeulike.org/article/8188780). CNT (fabricated from previous experiments) was added to CNF. [...]
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to view the pore size of the CNF (which was compared to the pore sizes of CNTs). An SEM has a higher resolution than normal microscopes, and images a sample with a high beam of electrons. A comparison of the CNF and CNT images are shown below (the CNT is [...]