Graphene-sponges containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes for electrosorption of salt-ions
Journal article, 2025
Three-dimensional (3D) compressible graphene foams embedded with arrays of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) present attractive features such as low density, high conductivity, and notable adsorption-desorption properties. A strategy to increase the long-term practical operation stability with the improvement of electrochemical properties for these 3D foams is highly desirable. Here, we propose a novel MWCNTs-filled graphene-sponges for electrosorption of salt-ions. The MWCNT-rGO composite is formed through freeze-drying at −70 °C overnight after reducing the GO-MWCNT composites by L-ascorbic acid. Then, a protective layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is uniformly coated on the surface of the MWCNT-rGO foam via a controlled dip-coating technique. Such a unique 3D architecture displays increased mechanical properties, and improved electrosorption capacity of salt ions. Furthermore, the PDMS coating effectively prevents performance degradation in long cycles electrosorption process across 100 cycles, maintaining a maximum predicted salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of 18.22 mg g−1 in oxygenated saline water. The introduction of this unique composite 3D foam paves the way for future research into hybrid flexible materials with rich interfacial features, which promises significant advancements in practical applications.
Mechanical strength
Capacitive deionization
Oxygenated saline-water
Fibrous ribbon
Mechanical compressibility
Minimized capacity-fading
Author
Rahul Patil
Amity University
Dong Jiang
Nagoya University
Xingtao Xu
Nagoya University
Nitish Kumar
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture
Indian Institute of Technology
Sudip Bhattacharjee
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
Sunil Kumar Yadav
Indian Institute of Technology
Dinesh Kalyanasundaram
Indian Institute of Technology
Rahul R. Salunkhe
Indian Institute of Technology
Asim Bhaumik
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
Nithima Khaorapapong
Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University
Yusuke Yamauchi
Nagoya University
University of Queensland
Yonsei University
Saikat Dutta
Amity University
Chemical Engineering Journal
13858947 (ISSN)
Vol. 506 159270Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Materials Chemistry
DOI
10.1016/j.cej.2025.159270