Interface-hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of CoS(x) nanodots/poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2010 Sep 1;349(1):181-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2010.05.024. Epub 2010 May 15.

Abstract

In the work, amorphous CoS(x) nanodots were highly dispersed onto poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) by a interface-hydrothermal method. Electrochemical data demonstrated a specific capacitance (SC) of 300Fg(-1) was delivered at 3Ag(-1) by the nanocomposite, which was 90% of that at 0.4Ag(-1), indicating its good rate response. The good dispersion of the electroactive CoS(x) nanodots onto the FMWCNTs should be responsible for its better supercapacitive performance. Such unique structure made the abundant electroactive surface atoms of the CoS(x) phase contacted by OH(-) ions and electrons easily through the three-dimensional mesoporous conducting matrix of FMWCNTs for fast energy storage. Furthermore, the SC retention of ca. 95% reveals a good electrochemical stability of the nanocomposite.