Effect of Ar⁺ Irradiation of N-Doped MWCNTs on the Morphology, Electrophysical and Capacitive Properties of Electrochemical Electrodes with Polyaniline

Composites based on polyaniline and nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes - as-grown and argon ion irradiated - were obtained by the in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method of aniline. The surface structure and morphology of the synthesized composite nanofibers were studied within microscopic methods. It is shown that argon ion irradiation leads to a high rougher composite surface and generates spike-like structures of polymer on the walls of nanotubes. The specific conductivity of the composite with argon modified nanotubes decrease by 1.7 – 1.8 times is due to reduce in the nanotubes conductivity after irradiation. Cyclic voltammetry data demonstrate enhance of the specific capacity of composites based on polyaniline and 10% irradiated nanotubes up to 179 F/g. Because of the high surface area of this composite, the electrode based on it has low mechanical strength, which leads to its cyclic stability reduction.