Coupling effect between the structure and surface characteristics of electrospun carbon nanofibres on the electrochemical activity towards the VO2(+)/VO(2+) redox couple.

In order to investigate the structure-function relationship of electrospun carbon nanofibres (ECNFs), polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based electrospun carbon webs (ECWs) have been developed, consisting of ECNFs carbonized over the temperature range of 1000-1500 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The surface morphology, microstructure, composition, electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity of the ECNFs have been characterized. The electrochemical activity of the ECNFs towards the VO2(+)/VO(2+) redox reaction has been measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).