Thin, bendable electrodes consisting of porous carbon nanofibers via the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile containing tetraethoxy orthosilicate for supercapacitor

In the present study, electrically conducting carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats were produced by incorporating tetraethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) via electrospinning. A simple thermal treatment was applied to the electrospun nanofibers to create ultramicropores that could accommodate a large number of ions were formed on the surface of the CNFs, removing the need for a time-consuming activation step. The Si/CNF composites showed high capacitance and energy/power density values due to the formation of ultramicropores and the introduction of heteroatoms.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Investigation of carbon nanofibers with high surface areas and microporous structures via electrospinning. ► Development of carbon nanofibers for electrodes performing efficient energy storage/conversion. ► Optimizing pore and morphology of carbon nanofibers for enhancing both power and energy densities of the electrochemical. capapcitors