Influence of carbon nanofibers on electrochemical properties of carbon nanofibers/glass fibers composites

Conducting glass fiber fabrics (GFs) with double-scale roughness were fabricated by growing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on its surfaces. The homogeneous growth of CNFs was achieved by the decomposition of C₂H₂ on glass fibers surfaces coated with Fe-doped mesoporous silica films at different C₂H₂ flow rates. The chemical composition and surface structure of the GFs before and after CNFs growth were examined by electron dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), N₂ full isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrical properties of the GFs were examined using a four-probe volume resistivity tester. The CNFs with a mean diameter of 50 nm grew uniformly and densely on the glass fiber surfaces. The CNFs/GFs fabrics surface exhibited excellent electrochemical properties due to the CNFs. The specific capacitance of the GFs ranged from 0.2 to 4 F/g at 1 A/g in a 1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous solution.