Electrochimica Acta, Vol.260, 656-663, 2018
Graphene bonded carbon nanofiber aerogels with high capacitive deionization capability
We herein report a fascinating carbon aerogel that has a unique framework structure consisting of one-dimensional (i.e. nanofibers) and two-dimensional (i.e. graphene) carbon nanomaterials. Such a carbon aerogel was prepared by carbonization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile with graphene oxide sheets (GO). The nanofiber-graphene interconnection within the aerogel considerably enhances the electrochemical characteristics. The aerogel showed an electrosorption capacity of 15.7 mg g(-1) in 500 mg L-1 NaCl solution, and the CDI cell exhibited stable performance over 100 cycles. Moreover, the carbon aerogel has good electrical conductivity and faster electron transfer rate. Such a cross-linked porous aerogel may provide a new strategy for highly efficient CDI applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Electrospinning;Carbon aerogel;Capacitive deionization;Cross-linked networks;Electrosorption