Investigation of carbon nanotube and polymer materials as supercapacitor components

The study aimed to examine carbon nanotubes (CNTs ) and polymer materials as supercapacitor components. CNTs are nanoscale carbon structures with unique physical and chemical properties and attract attention with their high surface area and excellent conductivity. Polymer materials have advantages such as flexibility, lightness and workability. In this study, two different electrode materials were created using 10%Ga/CNT and 10%Nb/CNT mixtures. Both mixtures contain 10% gallium or niobium and 90% carbon nanotube by mass. Each mixture for the creation of electrode materials was mixed with the polymer TDI/PEG (toluene dizocyanate/polyethylene glycol) at a ratio of 1:1. As a result of this mixture, Ga/CNT and Nb/CNT electrode materials were obtained. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the electrochemical properties of Ga/CNT and Nb/CNT electrode materials and discover new electrode materials that can potentially be used. Electrochemical tests were performed to evaluate the properties of electrode materials such as conductivity, electrochemical activity and durability. Research findings were obtained by analyzing Electrochemical Analysis, Cyclic Voltametry Analysis, Galvanostatic Charging Discharge Analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. As a result of the research, it was determined that there are differences between the capacitive performance of their electrodes and these differences vary according to factors such as material properties, surface roughness and pore structure. Both samples used in the experiment showed capacitive behavior but had different specific capacitance values and speed performances. As a result, when CNTs and polymer materials are considered supercapacitor components, each has its own advantages and restrictions. Considering the advantages of CNTs such as superior conductivity and surface area properties and polymers flexibility and low cost, it has been determined that they are high function components. The results showed that Ga/CNT and Nb/CNT electrode materials show high conductivity properties and are also successful in terms of electrochemical activity. In addition, it has been observed that composites made by mixing these electrode materials with the TDI/PEG polymer increase mechanical durability. Key Words: Ga/CNT, Nb/CNT, Electrode Material, TDI/PEG polymer, Electrochemistry, Conductivity, Electrochemical Activity, Energy Storage, Sensors.