Microwave-assisted synthesis of three-dimensional graphene-nanotube-palladium nanostructures and their electro-chemical characteristics

Abstract

The synthesis of three-dimensional carbon-based nanostructures such as composites of graphene nanosheets and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a hot topic of research as these composites can exhibit synergetic properties, making them suitable for a variety of real-world applications. Three-dimensional carbon-based nanostructures, which have considerable advantages such as large surface areas, effective pathways for the transport of ions between the carbon nanostructure and the electrolyte, and low degree of restacking, can be used mainly in energy storage devices and as electrode materials. Here I present a quick, defect-engineered method for synthesizing three-dimensional graphene-nanotube-palladium nanostructures using microwave radiation and ionic liquids. The underlying mechanism of this defect-engineered method is as follows: irradiation with the microwaves caused defects on graphene nanosheets, resulting in the anchoring of palladium nanoparticles at the points of these defects and the subsequent growth of carbon nanotubes on the graphene nanosheets through the use of an ionic liquid. The resulting three-dimensional graphene- nanotube-palladium nanostructures exhibited desirable features such as high porosity, high surface-to-volume ratio, and outstanding electrochemical properties. Finally, I also fabricated mechanically flexible electrodes using the three-dimensional graphene-nanotube-palladium nanostructures and a conducting polymer. The results of the electrochemical analyses of the electrodes suggested that these flexible electrodes have the potential for use in energy storage devices and various flexible electronic devices.