Prospects of functionalized carbon nanotubes for supercapacitors applications

As a family of carbon-based materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can enhance the effectiveness and functioning of various systems intended for use in energy storage applications thanks to their distinctive properties, such as electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal and magnetic features. However, their widespread use is limited by challenges regarding the up-scalability of production and the poor environmental friendliness of current synthesis routes. Other crucial factors like stability and optimization of operational conditions and functionalization procedures must be considered to enable these materials to be widely applied as supercapacitor (SC) electrodes. Moreover, to overcome this situation, to allow the use of fewer chemicals and less complicated synthesis techniques, and simultaneously enhance CNTs biocompatibility, it is mandatory to develop cost-effective and eco-friendly synthesis procedures for fabricating and functionalizing CNTs. Here, we highlight new developments toward traditional CNT synthesis procedures and their adaptations, along with the functionalization of CNTs to enhance their potential for use in SCs, concentrating on critical obstacles and prospective outcomes. Recommendations for additional research on developing efficient production methods for functionalized CNT-based electrodes for SC applications are also discussed.