Investigation of ionic liquids as electrolytes for carbon nanotube electrodes

J. N. Barisci, University of Wollongong
G. G. Wallace, University of Wollongong
D. R. MacFarlane, Monash University
R. H. Baughman, University of Texas at Dallas

Abstract

The use of ionic liquids (IL) as electrolytes for electrochemical applications involving carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes has been investigated in a brief initial study. The use of IL electrolytes in conjunction with CNT electrodes has proved possible and advantageous. Ionic liquids provide relatively high conductivity, wide potential window (up to 5.5 V) along with chemical stability and nonvolatile nature. While some decrease in the electrode capacitance and charging rate are observed in IL with respect to conventional electrolytes, the magnitude of the decrease is not substantial. The general well defined electrochemical behaviour of CNT electrodes in IL, coupled to the wide potential window and other advantages of these electrolytes, suggest new avenues for the design of capacitors, batteries and electromechanical actuators.