Carbon materials have attracted intense interests as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors, because of their high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and low cost. Activated carbons produced by different activation processes from various precursors are the most widely used electrodes. Recently, with the rapid growth of nanotechnology, nanostructured electrode materials, such as carbon nanotubes and template-synthesized porous carbons have been developed. Their unique electrical properties and well controlled pore sizes and structures facilitate fast ion and electron transportation. In order to further improve the power and energy densities of the capacitors, carbon-based composites combining electrical double layer capacitors (EDLC)-capacitance and pseudo-capacitance have been explored. They show not only enhanced capacitance, but as well good cyclability. In this review, recent progresses on carbon-based electrode materials are summarized, including activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, and template-synthesized porous carbons, in particular mesoporous carbons. Their advantages and disadvantages as electrochemical capacitors are discussed. At the end of this review, the future trends of electrochemical capacitors with high energy and power are proposed.

Carbon Materials for Chemical Capacitive Energy Storage

Filamentous growth of carbon through benzene decomposition

This review summarises the research work carried out in the field of carbon nanotube (CNT) metal matrix composites (MMCs). Much research has been undertaken in utilising CNTs as reinforcement for composite material. However, CNT-reinforced MMCs have received the least attention. These composites are being projected for use in structural applications for their high specific strength as well as functional materials for their exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. The present review focuses on the critical issues of CNT-reinforced MMCs that include processing techniques, nanotube dispersion, interface, strengthening mechanisms and mechanical properties. Processing techniques used for synthesis of the composites have been critically reviewed with an objective to achieve homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes in the matrix. The mechanical property improvements achieved by addition of CNTs in various metal matrix systems are summarised. The factors determining strengthening achieved by CNT reinforcement are elucidated as are the structural and chemical stability of CNTs in different metal matrixes and the importance of the CNT/metal interface has been reviewed. The importance of CNT dispersion and its quantification is highlighted. Carbon nanotube reinforced MMCs as functional materials are summarised. Future work that needs attention is addressed.

Carbon nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites - a review

A review of heat treatment on polyacrylonitrile fiber

Electrochemical reduction of a wide variety of aromatic diazonium salts on carbon electrodes (glassy carbon, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) leads to the covalent attachment of the corresponding aromatic radicals The films thus deposited on glassy carbon surfaces require mechanical abrasion to be removed Cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarization modulation IR reflection absorption spectroscopy, Auger spectroscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy allow the characterization of the overlayer and an estimate of the surface coverage The latter can be controlled through diazonium concentration and electrolysis duration The mechanism of derivatization is discussed on the basis of the kinetic data obtained from cyclic voltammetry and preparative electrolysis This versatile method of surface modification may find applications in the field of carbon−epoxy composites as attested by the successful binding of grafted p-aminophenyl groups with epichlorhydrin

Covalent Modification of Carbon Surfaces by Aryl Radicals Generated from the Electrochemical Reduction of Diazonium Salts

The future of carbon-carbon composites

Preface * Reinforcements, Carbon Fibres * Carbon/Carbon Composites and Conventional Graphite * Carbon Fibre Architecture * Processing of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Microstructure of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Mechanical Properties of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Thermal Properties of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Friction and Wear of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Oxidation and Oxidation protection of Carbon/Carbon Composites * Applications of Carbon/Carbon Composites.

Carbon reinforcements and carbon /carbon composites

Optimization of stabilization and carbonization treatment of PAN fibres and structural characterization of the resulting carbon fibres

Pan-based carbon fibers—present state and trend of the technology from the viewpoint of possibilities and limits to influence and to control the fiber properties by the process parameters

Erich Fitzer

Papers

The future of carbon-carbon composites

Carbon reinforcements and carbon /carbon composites

Optimization of stabilization and carbonization treatment of PAN fibres and structural characterization of the resulting carbon fibres

Pan-based carbon fibers—present state and trend of the technology from the viewpoint of possibilities and limits to influence and to control the fiber properties by the process parameters

The influence of oxygen on the chemical reactions during stabilization of pan as carbon fiber precursor