Aligned MWNT channels in free standing polymer nanocomposite as an electrode for Li-ion battery

The investigation and development of flexible power sources has motivated to develop flexible, light weight, binder free, and current collector free electrodes for lithium ion batteries. We have therefore investigated the alignment and pattern of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) channels in polystyrene (PS) matrix using magnetic field (5 kOe) for lithium ion storage and transport. In the presence of magnetic field, anisotropic MWNTs rotate towards the direction of the magnetic field and stabilized due to its magnetically susceptible nature. MWNTs suspended in PS were trapped and then aligned into the direction of the applied field. The alignment of MWNT channels was optimized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The charging–discharging capacity and rate capability were found to be increased for aligned MWNT/PS nanocomposite electrodes.