Carbon Nanofibers Provide a Cationic Rectifier Material: Specific Electrolyte Effects, Bipolar Reactivity, and Prospect for Desalination

Luthando Tshwenya, Frank Marken, Omotayo A. Arotiba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate that ionic current rectification effects are observed with a film of negatively charged carbon nanofibers (CNFs) deposited as a film or mat onto a 10 μm diameter microhole in poly-ethylene-terephthalate (PET). CNFs are synthesized by using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide to introduce carboxyl moieties (providing negative surface charges). CNFs are characterized with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and zeta potential measurements. When drop-dried asymmetrically onto a 10 μm diameter cylindrical channel on a 6 μm thick PET substrate and placed as a membrane between two electrolyte compartments, ionic current rectification is observed. Effects of pH, ionic strength, and nature of electrolyte are investigated. Bipolar reactivity of iodide is demonstrated. Potential for future applications in water purification are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3145-3153
Number of pages9
JournalChemElectroChem
Volume6
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2019

Keywords

  • carbon nanofibers
  • desalination
  • ionic rectifiers
  • membranes
  • voltammetry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Electrochemistry

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