Formation and electrochemical properties of composites of the C60-Pd polymer and multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Preparation and electrochemical properties of a novel type of the composite made of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and two-component polymer of palladium and C-60 (C-60-Pd) were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and piezoelectric microgravimetry. A composite film was prepared by electrochemical deposition of C-60-Pd on the layer of MWCNTs immobilized on the electrode surface. The polymer forms islands of shells on the carbon multi-wall core. This composite is electrochemically active in the negative potential range due to the electroreduction of the fullerene moiety. In this potential range, specific pseudo-capacitance of the film of the MWCNT/C-60-Pd composite is 425 F g(-1) in the acetonitrile solution of tetra(n-butyl)ammonium perchlorate. The presence of MWCNTs makes the composite conductive also at potentials less negative than potentials of the C-60 electroreduction. The double-layer specific capacitance of this film is close to 15 F g(-1). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.