A novel microwave energy-based approach to hybrid nanomaterial preparation for electrochemical energy storage purposes

Hybrid nanomaterials (HNMs), composed of carbonized conducting polymer (CCP), e.g. polypyrrole (PPy), nanoparticles (NPs) with simultaneously grown carbon nanotubes’ (CNTs) and metal oxide nanowires’ (MONWs) coverage on their surface were prepared for electrochemical energy storage purposes. In order to both obtain this novel HNM and to overcome the common challenges in conventional synthesis methods, a simple and straightforward in-situ polymerization/coating approach was systematically combined with the modified version of a well-established, facile, and rapid ex-situ microwave (MW) energy-based approach, i.e. PopTube. This highly efficient and easily scalable combined approach could effectively manage the production of targeted HNMs, in an affordable manner, with unique morphological (SEM/TEM), elemental (EDX), spectroscopic (XRD, Raman) and electrochemical (CV) features, all of which are strongly supported by both indicated material characterization test results and the relevant literature data. Thus, it is believed that the as-prepared CNT and MONW decorated CCPNPs (CNT&MONW@CCPNP) through this combined approach would soon become a preferred material for the above-mentioned purposes with respect to its promising features.