Capacity study of lithium intercalation into carbon nanotube based electrodes

Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) used for lithium-intercalation were evaluated in terms of morphology and lithium capacity. It was shown that the use of Buckypaper provided a better means for examining the morphology of the SWNT. Consumption of the SWNTs during the first discharge cycle was also observed and believed related to the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI). Chemically etched SWNTs in the form of buckpaper increased in both irreversible and reversible capacities compared to as purchased SWNTs. However, consumption of the SWNTs to form amorphous carbon may have limited the reversible capacity observed compared to capacity reported in the literature. In an attempt to limit the amount of SWNTs consumed during SEI formation, polypyrrole was deposited onto buckypaper via electropolymerization.