Multifunctionality of Cellulose Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Composites in Polar Aprotic and Polar Protic Solvents

Abstract

More and more focus nowadays is laid on renewable “green” and smart materials. In this work, we want to demonstrate the multifunctional properties of cellulose (CE) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) fiber (50 wt.% multiwall carbon nanotubes). Linear actuation of CE-MWCNTs fiber at the potential range 0.7 to −0.2 V in different solvents with the same concentration of bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI) revealed that the polar aprotic solvents propylene carbonate (PC), acetonitrile (ACN), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) had the main expansion at discharging. The main expansion occurred at charging in polar protic solvents such as water (Aq) and ethylene glycol (EG). Chronopotentiometric measurements of CE-MWCNTs fiber were performed and showed the best specific capacitance in PC solvent of 102.7 mF cm⁻² (±0.082 mA cm⁻²) with specific capacity retention of 83% (±3.82 mA cm⁻²). The sensor calibration revealed that the four different solvents can be distinguished. Characterization of CE-MWCNTs fiber is performed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed to investigate the element content after actuation cycles. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy are conducted to evaluate the composition of fiber CE-MWCNTs.