Plasma-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes directly grown on stainless steel meshes as supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) directly grown on a stainless steel mesh were functionalized using fast, solvent-free radiofrequency (RF) plasma technique. Two different gas mixtures of Ar/C 2 H 6 /O and /N used to add oxygen- nitrogen-containing functional groups the surface MWCNTs. The binder-free forest-like MWCNTs before after functionalization tested as supercapacitor electrodes. structural electrochemical characteristics electrodes evaluated. RF power (10–30 W) time (1–20 min) optimized achieve highest capacitance. Both nitrogen- oxygen-functionalized showed improved capacitive behavior due presence MWCNT surface. capacitance was obtained for electrode with employing mixture at 20 W 15 min, reaching specific 37.3 ± 1.1 mF cm −2 (196.3 5.8 F g −1 ).