Fabrication of copper/single-walled carbon nanotube composite film with homogeneously dispersed nanotubes by electroless deposition

Copper/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite films were fabricated by electroless deposition. The SWCNTs were formed using the water-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. To prepare copper/SWCNT composite plating baths with homogeneously dispersed SWCNTs, magnetic stirring, ultrasonic homogenization, and collision-type atomization were examined as mechanical methods for the disintegration of SWCNT bundles. Appropriate dispersants were added to the plating baths to avoid re-aggregation of the disintegrated SWCNTs. The degree of SWCNT dispersion in the copper/SWCNT composite plating bath was evaluated using a particle size analyzer, and the microstructures of the copper/SWCNT composite films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Collision-type atomization most significantly improved the degree of SWCNT dispersion in the composite plating bath. Using this treatment method, copper/SWCNT composite films with homogeneous dispersions of SWCNTs were successfully fabricated by electroless deposition. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://cleativecommonhorghicensehby-nc-nd74,0/).ArticleMATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS. 7:101-107 (2016)journal articl

Electrochemical preparation of free-standing carbon-nanotube/Sn composite paper

Toward achieving Li-ion batteries with high energy density, SWCNT/Sn composite paper was electrochemically prepared and the addition effect of formaldehyde (HCHO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on Sn electrodeposition morphology was studied. PEG improved the wettability of electroplating bath to enable inhomogeneous Sn embeddedness inside SWCNT paper, and HCHO delivered more nuclear growth. The synergetic effect resulted in a composite paper in which Sn particles with several-hundred nanometer order were distributed. Compared with a commercially-available Cu foil (18 mu m-thickness) with 32 mg at 2 cm(2) (phi 16 mm), the weight of the SWCNT paper (5 mg) is one sixth of that of the Cu foil. The dramatic reduction of the component greatly contributes to the increase in energy density of batteries. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.ArticleMATERIALS LETTERS.220:182-185(2018)journal articl

The Possibility of a High-Efficiency Wave Power Generation System Using Dielectric Elastomers

Power generation using dielectric elastomer (DE) artificial muscle is attracting attention because of its light weight, low cost, and high-efficiency. Since this method is a system that produces electricity without emitting carbon dioxide nor using rare earths, it would contribute to the goal of environmental sustainability. In this paper, the background of DEs, the associated high efficiency wave energy generation (WEG) systems that we developed using DEs, as well as the latest development of its material are summarized. By covering both the challenges and achievements, this paper discusses the opportunities to build the foundation of an energy recycling society through the usage of these WEGs. To make these possibilities commercially successful, the advantages of DEs need to be integrated with traditional technologies. To achieve this, the method of using DEs alone and a system used in combination with an oscillating water column were also considered. Finally, the current status and future of DE generators (DEGs) are discussed