TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– The purpose of this paper was to provide a simple method for the preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by pyrolysing sunflower seed hulls and sago and to evaluate the application of such CNTs in supercapacitors. Design/methodology/approach– The CNTs were obtained by pyrolysing sunflower seed hulls and sago at 800°C. The prepared CNTs were studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge and discharge and electrochemical impedance spectra methods. Findings– The CNTs had large surface areas as determined by the methylene blue method and the Brunauer – Emmett – Teller method. And the CNTs that were prepared by pyrolysing the natural sunflower seed hulls (denoted as CNTs-1) and sago (denoted as CNTs-2) had capacitances of 86.9 F/g and 26.7 F/g, respectively. Research limitations/implications– The capacitances of CNTs can be further improved. Practical implications– The exceptional electronic and mechanical properties of CNTs prepared lend the CNTs to diverse applications including electrocatalysts, hydrogen storage, photovoltaic devices actuators, energy storage, field-emitting flat panel displays and composites. Originality/value– Currently, CNTs have not yet been used in the industry at a mass production scale due to high costs associated. The outcomes of the study reported in this article could provide a convenient method in aid of industrialisation of the production of CNTs.
VL  - 44
IS  - 1
SN  - 0369-9420
DO  - 10.1108/PRT-10-2013-0090
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-10-2013-0090
AU  - Zhang H.Y.
AU  - Niu H.J.
AU  - Wang Y.M.
AU  - Wang C.
AU  - Bai,  X.D.
AU  - Wang S.
AU  - Wang Wen
PY  - 2015
Y1  - 2015/01/01
TI  - A simple method to prepare carbon nanotubes from sunflower seed hulls and sago and their application in supercapacitor
T2  - Pigment & Resin Technology
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 7
EP  - 12
Y2  - 2024/04/23
ER  -