Multi-wall carbon nanotubes supported on carbon fiber paper synthesized by simple chemical vapor deposition

•We deposited multi-wall carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber paper with a simple CVD.•We investigated the inherent mechanism of Ni particle's self-dispersion.•The MWCNTs/CFP composite possesses wonderful electrical conductivity.

Aiming at developing a novel carbon/carbon composite as an electrode in the electrochemical capacitor applications, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/carbon fiber paper (CFP) composite has been synthesized using a simple chemical vapor deposition, in which different metal catalysts such as Fe, Ni and Cu are used. However, randomly oriented MWCNTs were only obtained on Ni particles. The mechanism for this unique phenomenon is investigated in this article. The physical and electrochemical properties of as-prepared MWCNTs/CFP composite are characterized and the results show that the as-prepared composite is a promising substrate for electrochemical capacitor applications.