Atmospheric pressure plasma‐jet treatment of polyacrylonitrile‐nonwovens: Activation leading to high surface area carbon electrodes. Issue 12 (19th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoffmann, Andreas; Uhl, Matthias; Ceblin, Maximilian; Bansmann, Joachim; Jacob, Timo; Kuehne, Alexander J. C.
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 19:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-08-19
• Subjects: carbon nanofibers -- electrodes -- plasma jets -- porosity -- supercapacitors; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202200114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon nanofiber nonwovens (CFN) are powerful electrode materials with exceptional performance in energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors. Small fiber‐diameters together with hierarchical porosity endow CFN‐electrode materials with large surface areas and high electrical capacitance. Porosity of the fiber surface is often realized by corrosive activation methods such as wet‐etching or using oxidative gases at elevated temperatures. In this study, we present a chemical‐free, environmental‐friendly, and easily controllable surface activation method using an atmospheric pressure plasma‐jet. We investigate the best instant for activation along the process chain and show that the surface area of nanofiber nonwovens can be tailored by adjusting the plasma exposure‐dose. Plasma‐activated CFNs show an almost 20‐fold increase in capacitance ( C sp PJ = 10.1 F/g) in an electrochemical supercapacitor setup compared to nonactivated CFN ( C sp noPJ = 0.55 F/g). Abstract : In this publication, an atmospheric pressure plasma‐jet is utilized for the activation of carbon nanofiber nonwovens. Interestingly, the carbon nanofibers obtain a higher surface when plasma‐treated before carbonization. Plasma‐jet activated carbon nanofiber nonwovens are applied as electrochemical double‐layer capacitor electrodes and show a 20‐fold increase in capacitance, compared to nonactivated electrodes.