Chemical-free synthesis of graphene–carbon nanotube hybrid materials for reversible lithium storage in lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 50; no. 12; pp. 4557 - 4565
• Main Authors: Chen, Shuangqiang, Yeoh, Waikong, Liu, Qi, Wang, Guoxiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: aqueous solutions; batteries; carbon nanotubes; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; graphene; lithium; Materials science; Physics; scanning electron microscopes; Specific materials; transmission electron microscopes; Transmission microscope; Hybrid material; Carbon nanotubes; Lithium; Nanostructures; Electron microscopy; Scanning microscope; Storage; Aqueous solutions; Storage capacity; Efficiency; Graphene; Morphology; Reagents; Lithium ions; Chemical synthesis; Anodes
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2012.05.040

Graphene–carbon nanotube hybrid materials were successfully prepared through the π–π interaction without using any chemical reagent. We found that the ratio between carbon nanotube and graphene had critical influences on the state in aqueous solution and morphology of hybrid materials. Field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis confirmed that graphene nanosheets wrap around individual carbon nanotubes and form a homogeneous three-dimensional hybrid nanostructure. When applied as an anode material in lithium ion batteries, graphene–carbon nanotube hybrid materials demonstrated a high reversible lithium storage capacity, a high Coulombic efficiency and an excellent cyclability.