Electrochemical lithium intercalation at single-wall carbon nanotubes chemically attached to 4-aminothiophenol modified platinum electrodes

• Electrochemical stability of single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) modified Pt electrodes.
• Li charging/discharging at SWCNT/4-aminothiophenol/Pt electrodes.
• SWCNT/4-aminothiophenol/Pt higher Li charge density than graphite electrodes.

The electrochemical intercalation of lithium has been studied by cyclic voltammetry experiments at single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) chemically attached at Pt electrodes with 4-aminothiophenol (4ATP). Cyclic voltammetric studies of Li+ at SWCNT/4ATP/Pt electrodes were done evaluate the reversibility of Li intercalation. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy were done to characterize the structural changes of SWCNTs/4-ATP/Pt electrodes upon electrochemical lithium intercalation. The reversible energy capacity obtained from charge/discharge studies showed a change from 538 mAh/g at the first charge/discharge cycle to 703 mAh/g, at the fifth cycle. The calculated Li storage capacity for SWCNTs/4-ATP/Pt electrodes almost doubled the theoretical capacity for Li intercalation in graphite electrodes.