Multifunctional CNT-polymer composites for ultra-tough structural supercapacitors and desalination devices.

Pulsed electrodeposition of polyaniline (PANI) allows the fabrication of flexible, electrically conductive, nonwoven PANI-carbon nanotube (PANI-CNT) composite fabrics. They possess specific tensile strength and a modulus of toughness higher than that of aluminum matrix composites, titanium and aluminum alloys, steels, and many other structural materials. Electrochemical tests show that these nanocomposites additionally offer excellent cycle stability and ion electro-sorption and storage properties.

Ultra strong silicon-coated carbon nanotube nonwoven fabric as a multifunctional lithium-ion battery anode.

Materials that can perform simultaneous functions allow for reductions in the total system mass and volume. Developing technologies to produce flexible batteries with good performance in combination with high specific strength is strongly desired for weight- and power-sensitive applications such as unmanned or aerospace vehicles, high-performance ground vehicles, robotics, and smart textiles. State of the art battery electrode fabrication techniques are not conducive to the development of multifunctional materials due to their inherently low strength and conductivities.

Intense pulsed light induced platinum-gold alloy formation on carbon nanotubes for non-enzymatic glucose detection.

We demonstrated a novel method for the formation of alloy nano-islands on carbon nanotube (CNT). The two metal layers (Pt, Au) were sputtered on CNTs and the intense pulsed light (IPL) was irradiated on the metal layers. The absorbed light provides enough energy for the diffusion mixing between Pt and Au, forming Pt-Au alloy phase.

Carbon nanotube mat as mediator-less glucose sensor electrode.

In this paper, the direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) on carbon nanotube (CNT) mat electrode is demonstrated. Because of the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of CNT mat, it can be used as an electrode as well as a catalyst support. Therefore, the preparation process for the CNT mat based sensor electrode is simpler than that of the conventional CNT dispersed sensor electrodes.

Carbon nanotubes with platinum nano-islands as glucose biofuel cell electrodes.

A novel method using intense pulsed light (IPL) for the metal nano-island formation on carbon nanotube (CNT) was introduced. The IPL-induced photothermal dewetting process improved platinum (Pt) catalyst utilization by transforming nano-islands from Pt film on CNT and increasing the surface area for the subsequent sputtering. The irradiation of high intensity of light on the Pt film causes surface-energy-driven diffusion of Pt atoms and forms the array of nano-islands on CNT.