Preparation of carbon nanotubes on Al foil anode for electrolytic capacitor

Well graphitized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were directly grown on Al foil for Al electrolytic capacitor by micro-arc discharge in water between catalyst deposited Al foil cathode and Pt anode. Next, aluminum was sputtered onto the Al foil with grown CNTs at fixed sputtering time and power. Finally, aluminum oxide was formed by anodizing in an ammonium adipate solution. A high capacitance was obtained, comparing with blank Al foil without CNTs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra were employed to study the structure and formation mechanism of CNTs.