Methodology, morphology, and optimization of carbon nanotube growth for improved energy storage in a double layer capacitor

The goal of this thesis is to optimize the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a conducting substrate for use as an electrode to improve energy density in a double-layer capacitor. The focus has been on several areas, such as substrate material, growth conditions, catalyst variations, and thin-film deposition techniques in order to achieve growth of a high density, vertically-aligned carbon nanotube array suitable for use as an electrode. This thesis describes the methodology of modifying a significant number of parameters in order to achieve all of the targeted electrode specifications, with the exception of nanotube density. The successful growth of a CNT array on an aluminum foil substrate marks an important milestone for realizing a future commercial product.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Ku, Daniel C. (Daniel Chung-Ming), 1985-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Joel E. Schindall and John G. Kassakian.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/63028

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/63028