A. Leela Mohana Reddy

Asymmetric Flexible Supercapacitor Stack

Electrical double layer supercapacitor is very significant in the field of electrical energy storage which can be the solution for the current revolution in the electronic devices like mobile phones, camera flashes which needs flexible and miniaturized energy storage device with all non-aqueous components. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique over hydrogen decrepitated Mischmetal (Mm) based AB3alloy hydride. The polymer dispersed MWNTs have been obtained by insitu polymerization and the metal oxide/MWNTs were synthesized by sol-gel method. Morphological characterizations of polymer dispersed MWNTs have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM and HRTEM). An assymetric double supercapacitor stack has been fabricated using polymer/MWNTs and metal oxide/MWNTs coated over flexible carbon fabric as electrodes and nafion®membrane as a solid electrolyte. Electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor stack has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Alloy hydride catalyst route for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and magnetic metal-filled multi-walled carbon nanotubes

This paper presents a novel, cost-effective and single-step technique for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and magnetic metal-filled MWNTs using a fixed bed reaction thermal chemical vapour deposition (CVD) using alloy hydride catalyst. The single-step method involves the pyrolysis of methane at suitable temperatures over fine powders of certain Mischmetal-based AB3 alloy hydride catalysts, prepared through the hydrogen decrepitation technique. These carbon nanostructures have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of these metal-filled MWNTs have been studied by vibrating sample magnetometry, and the results are discussed.

Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Metal-encapsulated Multi-walled Carbon Nanobeads

A novel, cost-effective, easy and single-step process for the synthesis of large quantities of magnetic metal-encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanobeads (MWNB) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) using catalytic chemical vapour deposition of methane over Mischmetal-based AB3alloy hydride catalyst is presented. The growth mechanism of metal-encapsulated MWNB and MWNT has been discussed based on the catalytically controlled root-growth mode. These carbon nanostructures have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM and HRTEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Magnetic properties of metal-filled nanobeads have been studied using PAR vibrating sample magnetometer up to a magnetic field of 10 kOe, and the results have been compared with those of metal-filled MWNT.

Single step process for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and metal/alloy-filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A single-step approach for the synthesis of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) filled with nanowires of Ni/ternary Zr based hydrogen storage alloy has been illustrated. We also demonstrate the generation of CO-free hydrogen by methane decomposition over alloy hydride catalyst. The present work also highlights the formation of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) and MWNTs at varying process conditions. These carbon nanostructures have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. This new approach overcomes the existing multi-step process limitation, with possible impact on the development of future fuel cell, nano-battery and hydrogen sensor technologies.

PEM Fuel Cells With Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Catalyst Support Material

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been synthesized by the pyrolysis of acetylene using hydrogen decrepitated Mischmetal (Mm) based AB3 alloy hydride catalyst. MWNTs have been characterized by SEM, TEM, Raman and XRD studies. Pt-supported MWNTs (Pt/MWNTs) have been prepared by chemical reduction method using functionalized MWNTs. Composites of Pt/MWNTs and Pt/C have been used as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). Cathode catalyst with 50% Pt/MWNTs and 50% Pt/C gives the best performance because of the better dispersion and good accessibility of MWNTs support and the Pt electrocatalysts in the mixture for the oxygen reduction reaction in PEMFC. The paper emphasizes that Pt/C and Pt/MWNTs composites have good potential as catalyst support material in PEMFC.Copyright