Chemical elimination of amorphous carbon on amorphous carbon nanotubes and its electrochemical performance

Chemical elimination of amorphous carbon on amorphous carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) was for the first time investigated by different treatment processes. Electrochemical performance of the modified ACNTs/carbon paste electrode (ACNTs/CPE) was measured by cyclic voltammetry. Field emission scanning and transmission electron microscope (STEM) observation reveals that the diameter of ACNTs is in the range of 60-100 nm. The amorphous nature of ACNTs was proved by the result of Raman analysis. FT-IR spectra showed that it might be one of the low-cost ways to eliminate amorphous carbon on the surface of ACNTs to treat ACNTs with HNO3 in microwave oven. Further oxidation in air would lead to the decrease of electron transfer rate on the ACNTs/CPE because OH groups on the wall of ACNTs were partly eliminated by oxidation in air. The results of cyclic voltammetry showed that ACNTs/CPE treated with HNO3 in microwave oven has optimal peak in relation to the highest redox peak current.