Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology

ISSN: 0169-4243 (Print) 1568-5616 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tast20

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites and

their applications

Murat Ates, Aysegul Akdogan Eker & Bulent Eker

To cite this article: Murat Ates, Aysegul Akdogan Eker & Bulent Eker (2017): Carbon nanotube-
based nanocomposites and their applications, Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, DOI:
10.1080/01694243.2017.1295625

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2017.1295625

Published online: 20 Feb 2017.

Submit your article to this journal

Article views: 15

View related articles

View Crossmark data

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tast20

Download by: [FU Berlin] Date: 24 February 2017, At: 21:00

Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 2017
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2017.1295625

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites and their

applications
Murat Atesa  , Aysegul Akdogan Ekerb and Bulent Ekerc
a
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey; bFaculty
of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Besiktas,
Istanbul; cFaculty of Agriculture, Biosystem Engineering, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

The purpose of the current review article is to present a compherensive Received 12 December 2016
understanding regarding pros and cons of carbon nanotube– Revised 31 January 2017
related nanocomposites and to find ways in order to improve the Accepted 9 February 2017
performance of nanocomposites with new designs. Nanomaterials KEYWORDS
including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are employed in industrial Carbon nanotubes;
applications such as supercapacitors, and biosensors, and etc. The nanocomposite;
present article has been prepared in three main categories. In the supercapacitor; multi-walled
first part, carbon nanotube types have been presented, as single- carbon nanotube; biosensor;
walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and also radar absorbing materials
equivalent circuit models, which have been used to more clarify
the experimental measurements of impedance. In the second
part, nanocomposites with many carbon, inorganic and polymeric
materials such as polymer/CNT, activated carbon/CNT, metal oxide/
CNT, and carbon fiber/CNT have been investigated in more detail.
In the third part, the focus in on the industrial applications of CNTs.
including supercapacitors, biosensors, radar absorbing materials, solar
cells, and corrosion protection studies. This review article explains
the latest advances in carbon nanotubes and their applications in
electrochemical, electrical and optical properties of nanocomposites.

Introduction
Carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites are synthesized as a promising material for
industrial devices with advanced applications such as supercapacitors, sensors, electromag-
netic absorbers, photovoltaic cells, photodiodes and optical limiting devices [1,2]. CNTs
are used for electroactive materials in supercapacitors which have lower specific capaci-
tances than in the case of activated carbon. The highest reported specific capacitance value
is Csp = 180 Fg−1 in the literature [3]. However, mesoporous structure of CNTs results in
higher conductivity and higher specific energy and power density. The combination of
CNTs with metallic oxides or conducting polymers results in higher specific capacitance
value compared to CNT materials in supercapacitor applications. CNTs, on the other hand,
show an important disadvantage which leads to their limited usage in commercial super-
capacitors is their high price. In this review, the novelth of the manuscript is to highlight

CONTACT  Murat Ates  mates@nku.edu.tr; Aysegul Akdogan Eker  akdogan@yildiz.edu.tr

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
2   M. ATES ET AL.

the importance of the CNTs and their nanocomposites with polymer, active carbon, metal
oxide, and carbon fiber and their applications.

1.1.  Carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes have been widely used due to their structural, electrical, and mechan-
ical properties [4]. Exceptional features made CNT an ideal reinforcement for a variety of
materials, including polymers, metal/alloys and ceramics. CNT based composites are being
considered as an alternative to conventional smart materials.
Nowdays, CNTs cab be observed as one of the most interesting materials among other
nanoscale materials. CNTs can be found as sheets of graphene bent into a cylindirical shape
including both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nano-
tubes (MWCNT) [5]. Scientists have been mainly focused on the carbon nanostructures
such as CNTs [6]. Compared with CNTs, graphene based materials show many advantages,
such as mass production and low cost [7], excellent conductivity, and higher surface area [8].
For many applications, it is required to transfer a CNT film from one substrate to another.
Film transfer occurs by means of an energy source, such as microwave, heat, and laser
beam [9]. CNT thin films are a novel 2D structure with a mixture of semiconducting and
metallic tubes. The active materials of CNTs with RuO2 were used to design a supercapac-
itor device. They have higher cost or toxic characteristics among inorganic supercapacitor
electrode materials which have been intensively studied. CNTs are used in experimental
supercapacitor electrode materials resulted in specific capacitance as high as Csp = 180 F/g
but higher electrical conductivity and specific power than in the case of activated carbon.
CNTs are cylinderical-shaped molecules with large aspect ratios. Radius of a CNT can be as
small as a few nanometers in the range from 100 nm to 20 cm depending on the synthesis
conditions. CNTs are capped by one half of a fullerene-like molecule.
The electrochemical performance of CNT depends on specific factors, such as orientation
and dispersion of CNT, contact between electrolytes and electrodes. CNTs reinforced tita-
nium metal oxide composites give them potential to be replaced with unreinforced titanium
alloys for energy storage applications [10]. CNTs provide extra potential characteristics such
as their special electronic properties, accessibility of the active phase, chemical stability in
aggressive media and inert surface which, in turns, normally requires the oxidation of the
surface to obtain a high dispersion of the active phase which give them an specific value [11].

1.2.  Single walled carbon nanotubes

CNTs are considered as one of the most mportant active electrode materials due to their
well-defined porosity, chemical and mechanical stability, high surface area (>1600 m2 g−1
for SWCNT) and its high conductivity (~5000 Scm−1) [12]. Liao et al. [13] have reported
a hybrid SWCNT-polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers synthesized by in situ polymerization
of aniline in the presence of oxidized SWCNTs. SWCNTs/PPy nanocomposite electrode
has much higher specific capacitance than pure PPy or SWCNTs electrodes [14,15].
The application of SWCNT includes biotechnology, nanoelectronics and biosensors
have been investigated in literature [16]. They are used for many materials, such as gas
adsorption, in biological, chemical and electro-mechanical sensors etc. [17,18]. Rincon
et al. [19] have studied the appliction of enhanced gravity to achieve composite films of
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   3

SWCNTs/poly(34-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS). Adachi

et al. [20] have studied a chemical sensor for methyl viologen (MV2+) based on a water-­
soluble conjugated polymer/SWCNT composite. In Adachi’s study, the relationship between
the optical properties and sensing capability of composite in aqueous solution was presented.
Aral et al. [21] have studied the preparation of a novel ionic hybrid stationary phase by
non-covalent functionalization of SWCNT with amino-derivatized silica gel for fast HPLC
separation of aromatic compounds. Related results showed that SWCNTs surface had very
strong interactions with aromatic groups. As a result, it has high selectivity for seperation
aromatic compounds with different classes.

1.3.  Multi-walled carbon nanotubes

MWCNTs performance in electric double layer capacitances (EDLCs) were studied in the
literature [22,23]. Following the of MWCNTs, they can have significant improvement in
thier specific capacitance ranging from Csp = 32.7 Fg−1 to maximum Csp = 335.2 Fg−1. The
electrochemical oxidation increases the specific surface area by cutting off the nanotube tips.
In industry, there are many usage of MWCNTs. Electroweeting on MWCNT membranes
can be affected either by the employed method to fabricate the CNT membrane or by the
droplet conductivity [24]. Pu et al. [25] have tested spraing a graphene and CNT mixture
of different ratios onto a stainless steel substrate. Ziyatdinova et al. [26] have studied the
phenolic antioxidants of wine, which were electrochemically oxidized on MWCNTs mod-
ified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in phosphate buffer solution. Platinum-gold nanopar-
ticles supported on MWCNT with various Pt:Au ratios are prepared by microemulsion
method [27]. Liang et al. [28] have studied the multifunctionalized MWCNTs, which were
functionalized through a novel three-step oxidation approach assisted by ultrasonication.
An oxidation system with three oxidation agents (concentrated sulfuric acid, potassium
permanganate, and hydrogen peroxide) were used for functionalization process (Figure 1).
Acoustic cavitations of MWCNTs were obtained on the multifunctional groups which
were used in H2O2 solution as a oxidation system [29].

1.4.  Equivalent circuits

The equivalent circuit model of R(RC(RQW)(CR) was used in the simulation of imped-
ance data [30]. Zhao et al. [31] have studied the mathematical model which was used to
simulate the total possible capacitance of a virtual supercapacitor cell that contains carbon
nanosheets as the electrode material and found to be Csp = 1.49 × 10−4 F. The recent devel-
opment of patterning techniques has given alternative strategies for directly making flexible
and stretchable circuits (FSCs) patterns with a variety of highly conductive nanomaterials
[32–34]. Kordas et al. [35] published that elastic patterns of CNTs on a plastic film obtained
a resistance of Rs = 4 × 104 Ω. Wu et al. [36] fabricated a graphene electrode with a peak
electrical performance of Rs = 800 Ω. Hu et al. [37] reported a minimum resistance of Rs = 50
Ω with a transparent and flexible silver nanowire-based electrodes.
Cell impedance analysis was presented for monitoring biological and medical reactions.
Chang et al. [38] have studied a highly sensitive three-dimensional (3D) interdigitated
microelectrode (IME) with a high aspect ratio on a polyimide flexible substrate. The magni-
tude of impedance and particle quantity were evaluated using the equivalent circuit model.
4   M. ATES ET AL.

Figure 1. Synthetic route for the multifunctionalization of MWCNTs with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups,
which are marked by an elliptical region and rectangular region, respectively. Atoms in black, red and
gren represent the active sites of carbon atoms, C–O groups, and C=O groups, while the hydrogen atoms
are not displayed. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref. [28]. Copyright@Springer.

In literature, poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylacetate)/Fe2O3@PEDOT core-shell nanocapsules

and nanofibers were synthesized and characterized by Sarac et al. [39]. In their study, the
equivalent circuit models of R(Q(R(CR))) and R(Q(R(QR))) were studied by EIS data. The
equivalent circuit modeling of the dielectric loaded microwave biosensor was presented by
Jilani et al. [40]. The relationship of an overlay thickness with the corresponding RC values
of the tissue equivalent circuit was explained by the simulated and measured results. EIS
analysis of charge transfer resistance, ion diffusion and capacitance of conducting poly-
mer-modified electrodes [41,42]. In literature, equivalent electrical circuits to define the
electrochemical properties of poly(3-octylthiophene) film were given in organic solutions
[43,44].

2. Nanocomposites
Nanocomposites including CNTs/metal oxide and CNTs/polymer were studied to under-
stand the supercapacitor behaviors along with their stability through optimally engineering
of the composition, particle size and other parameters [45]. The effects of poly(vinylbutyral)
and acid functionalized MWCNT modification on the thermal mechanical properties of
novolac epoxy nanocomposites were studied by Kavita et al. [46]. An increment of about
15 °C in the peak degradation temperature was reported compared to the neat novolac
epoxy. Numerous researchers have investigated on CNT with nanocomposites to enhance
the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties [47,48]. Ensafi et al. [49] have tried to
prepare new composites based on Pt-modified [PW11NiO39]5−@reduced graphene oxide
(rGO) and Pt-modified [PW11NiO39]5−@multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) (Figure 2).
Okajima et al. [50] have considered the fullerene-activated carbon composite electrodes,
with charge/discharge characteristics to be employed in a high power electric double-layer
capacitor. A higher capacitance was obtained as Csp = 172 Fg−1 at 50 mAcm−2 on a 1 wt%
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   5

Figure 2. TEM images of (A) (a) PDDA-rGO, (b) [PW11NiO39]5−@PDDA-GO; (B) (a) PDDA-CNT, (b) [PW11NiO39]
@PDDA-CNT and (c) [PW11Pt-NiO39]@PDDA-CNT. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref. [49].
Copyright@Elsevier.

C60-loaded electrode with ultrasonic treatment. C60-loaded ACF electrode also showed a
higher cycle performance. Pyrrole-treated functionalized SWCNT has the following elec-
trochemical performances: capacitance (Csp = 350 Fg−1), power density (p = 4.8 kWkg−1),
and energy density (E = 3.3 kJkg−1) [51]. The high capacitance was obtained by the plasma
surface treatment with NH3 because of the enhancement of the total surface area and the
MWCNTs wettability [52]. CNTs/conducting polymer composites have been synthesized
by either in situ chemical or electrochemical polymerization of monomers in the presence
of CNTs [53,54].

2.1.  Polymer/CNT composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can potentially be used in varous fields including nanotechnol-
ogy, bioengineering, and biosensors. Polymer/CNT composites have better mechanical
properties with higher electrical conductivity for biosensor applications [55]. The nano-
composites of polypyrrole (PPy) and MWCNTs with different compositions were given
in the chemical oxidative polymerization method by Kim et al. [56]. The performance of
the supercapacitor devices depends mainly on the content of MWCNTs in the composite
electrode. As a result, polypyrrole (PPy)/MWCNT composites with optimum conditions
may be used as supercapacitor devices with high capacitance and a long cycle life. CNTs also
play a key role as a suitable backbone for conducting polymer homogeneous distribution
in the nanocomposites. Kim et al. [57] have reported higher spesific capacitance and good
high-rate capability of PPy/CNT composite electrodes.
6   M. ATES ET AL.

The composite electrodes including conducting polymers and CNTs results in enhanced
mechanical strength as well as high thermal and electrical conductivity [58]. PANI/
MWCNT composite was reported with a specific capacity of 440 Fg−1 at 5 mVs−1 and a
capacitance retention of 93% after 1000 cycles [59]. Conducting polymers, such as pol-
yaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophenes have high capacitance performances [60]. So,
CNTs / conducting polymer nanocomposites have been used as energy storage materials
in supercapacitors, electrolytic production of hydrogen [61], and various amperometric
biosensors [62,63].
Raman spectra of i-PANI/MWCNTs and r-PANI/MWCNTs composites are given in
Figure 3(a). The characteristic Raman peaks of PANI changed greatly with different temper-
atures. XRD patterns of PANI/MWCNT composites are shown in Figure 3(b). In addition,
the PANI molecular conformations are schematically illustrated in Figure 3(c) as given in
different temperatures [64].
Lezak et al. [65] have studied polyaniline (PANI) as a representative of an intrinsically
conducting polymer and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and MWCNTs. The surface
functionalization of MWCNT was carried out in concentrated sulfuric and nitric acid mix-
ture at 90 °C for 24 h. Consequently, various nanocomposites were performed for many
applications, such as polyaniline/MWCNT nanocomposite with 2 wt% of MWCNT content
were obtained to understand the doping level of carboxylic acid obtained group of PANI/
MWCNT nanocomposites [66].

Figure 3. (a) Raman spectra and (b) XRD patterns of PANI/MWCNTs composites with different weight fraction
of MWCNTs (* stands for the peak of CNTs) (c) Schematic illustration of PANI molecular conformations at
different preparation temperature. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref. [64]. Copyright@Elsevier.
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   7

2.2.  Activated carbon/CNT nanocomposites

Activated carbon (AC) / CNTs composite electrodes have been studied and tested in organic
electrolyte (1.5 M NEt4BF4 in acetonitrile), CNTs content of 15 wt% has to be a good com-
promise between power and energy density, with a cell series resistance of ESR = 0.6 Ωcm−2
and active material capacitance as high as Csp = 88 F/g [67].
Huq et al. [68] have studied the possibility of preparing AC and CNTs based electrodes
for supercapacitors by a facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method (Figure 4). In this
study, after a cyclic stability test for 11,000 cycles, the as prepared AC/CNT electrode shows
capacitance retention of 85%. Activated carbon has been used in an EDLC electrode material
for a long time due to its high capacitance, low cost and long cycle life [69].
Figure 4 demonstrates the FE-SEM images of the CNT, AC-CNT-1 and AC-CNT-2 and
AC electrodes. CNTs deposited by EPD in Figure 4(a). The length of CNTs is 30–40 nm in
diameter and several micrometers. Figure 4(b) and (c) show homogeneous dispersion on
AC particles. In addition, Figure 4(c) illustrates AC-CNT-2 electrode. It is the profication
of the amount of CNTs in this electrode. Which is somewhat lower than that in AC-CNT-1
electrode? Lastly, the electrode composing of only AC presents in Figure 4(d). Qiu et al.
[70] have published an activated hollow carbon fibers (ACHFs) decorated with carbon
nanotubes and nickel nanoparticles (CNTs-Ni-ACHFs) were prepared by thermal reduction
and chemical vapor deposition technique. Activated carbon is the most commonly used
absorbent in its very high surface area [71].

Figure 4. SEM images of (a) CNT (b) AC-CNT, (c) AC-CNT-2 and (d) AC electrodes. Source: Reprinted with
permission from Ref. [68]. Copyright@Elsevier.
8   M. ATES ET AL.

Figure 5.  Schematic illustration of fabrication processes of sandwich structured MoO2@TiO2@CNT

nanocomposites. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref. [76]. Copyright@Elsevier.

2.3.  Metal oxide/CNT nanocomposites

RuO2/TiO2 nanotube composite have been studied in the potential window ranging from
−0.4 to +0.4 V and the activated carbon (AC) within potential window in KOH solution
[72]. Alam et al. [73] have synthesized BaMg0.5Co0.5TiFe10O19/MWCNT nanocomposites
with different amount of MWCNTs (0, 4, 8 and 12 vol%). As a result, the nanocomposite
with 8% vol. of MWCNTs showed the best microwave absorption performance among the
other samples. CNTs are novel reinforced of Mg based nanocomposites due to their inter-
esting mechanical properties. Yuan et al. [74] have developed a novel method to increase
the interfacial bonding strength by coating magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on the
surface of CNTs.
Carbanoceous materials have long cycle life and high power density, low-energy density
which mainly limits their widespread application. However, metal oxides are used as pseudo-
capacitive electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their high-energy density [75].
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an important anode candidate for Li-ion battery because of its
excellent cycle, low cost, and high safety. Yuan et al. [76] have investigated a sandwich struc-
tured MoO2@TiO2@CNT nanocomposite through a simple three-step synthesis method.
Sandwich structured of MoO2@TiO2@CNT nanocomposites were synthesized by two
steps of controlled hydrolysis and a subsequent heat treatment under Ar/H2 flow as given
in Figure 5.

2.4.  Carbon fibers/CNTs

A new method was used to graft carbon nanotubes onto carbon fiber by direct covalent
bonding to form a CNT/CF reinforcing structure [77]. Islam’s study shows that CNTs were
directly covalently bonded with CF through ester linkage without using any catalyst or
coupling agents. CNTs can be used to reinforce CFs to obtain the benefits of enhanced inter-
facial shear and impact strength. The reason is the requirement for more energy to separate
the CNTs from CF and pulling CNTs out from the matrix [78]. There are two methods to
connect CNTs with CF by physical adsorption (Van der waals interaction), which is weaker
compared to chemical covalent bonding, limiting the reinforcing effect [79].
An easy and effective method in order to prepare multiwall carbon nanotubes modified
sizing agent suited for carbon fibers reinforced methylsilicone resin (MSR) composites can
be found elsewhere [80]. CNTs have been used especially with carbon fibers where light-
weight materials are of further importance such as automotive and aerospace industries
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   9

Figure 6. Stress–strain curves of GO infiltrated CNT fibers and pristine CNT fibers. GO infiltrated CNT fibers
shows higher mechanical performance compared to pristine CNT fibers. The boxed region indicates the
unique phenomenon that was observed in GO infiltrated CNT fibers: ‘kinks’ at low stress with increasing
stiffness at higher stress. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref [81]. Copyright@Elsevier.

where the improved fuel efficiency is crucial. However, CNT fibers generally show far lower
mechanical properties (strength, toughness etc.) than CNTs because of the weak interfacial
shear strength between nanotubes and nanotube bundles. Wang et al. [81] have improved
the interfacial shear strength of the fibers, graphene oxide (GO) where it is used to increase
the mechanical properties and similar carbon based structure as the CNT fibers
The tensile behavior of pristine CNT fibers and GO infiltrated CNT fibers with a particle
width ~40 nm was given in Figure 6. CNTs have many advantageous as conducting wires
instead of copper wires due to their size and quantum effects which have the excellent
electrical, thermal and mechanical properties [82]. Tamrakar et al. [83] deposited poly-
ethylenimine (PEI) functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) by EPD onto the
surface of individual S-2 glass fibers. EPD method supplies the thickness of CNT coating
to be adjusted, facilitating control of fiber/matrix interfacial resistivity.

3.  Usage of carbon nanotubes in ındustrial applications

3.1. Supercapacitors
Supercapacitor still needs further investigations in understanding of electrode materials
and electrode charge-storage mechanism to close the gap between capacitors and batteries.
Power limitation of supercapacitors depends on the type of applied electrolyte, electrode
typw and evaluated constant current etc. Energy is stored in bulk structure of battery elec-
trodes whereas energy storage is limited by the surface area of the electrodes. SWCNTs
and MWCNTs have been used in supercapacitors. These materials are attractive because
of their high specific surface area, low electrical resistance, low mass density, and high
cyclic stability [84]. Their capacitance ranges from Csp = 4 F/g (MWCNTs) to Csp = 135 F/g
(doped SWCNTs) and depends on the nature of the active material and electrical contact
10   M. ATES ET AL.

with the current collectors [85]. There are many studies as the primary materials for super-
capacitor electrodes, such as activated carbon, porous carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene
etc. [86,87].
The MWCNTs were functionalized in nitric acid with functional groups on the surface
of CNTs. The dispersion of CNTs in the polymer matrix are among the two critical factors
affecting the performance of the nanocomposite material. CNTs were functionalized by
a mixture of nitric acid (70%) and concentrated sulfuric acid (1:3) for varying length of
time to deliberately introduced functional groups [88]. Modified CNTs specific area of
430 m2/g, a gravimetric capacitance of 102 F/g and an energy density of 0.5 Wh/kg obtained
at 1 Hz on a single cell device, using 38 weight percent of sulfonic acid as the electrolyte.
Polyaniline / MWCNTs composites have the highest specific capacitance of Csp = 560 F/g
which was achieved by using a composite with 66 wt% PANI content as the supercapacitor
electrode [89].
EDLCs show better cycling stability with lower specific capacitance, whereas pseudoca-
pacitance has limited stability during cycling process due to the faradaic reactions [90]. In
order to prevent the aforementioned drawback, scientists have focused on the hybrid system
of EDLCs and pseudocapacitance. Two electrode cell configuration provides more accurate
measurement of the material performance [91]. Electrochemical supercapacitors are used
to hold high power density and long life cycles [92]. The CV measurements recorded at a
scan rate of 30 mV/s for all electrochemical capacitors are shown in Figure 7 [93]. Both EC
equipped with CNT-M and GN-M nanocomposites show an almost rectangular box shape,
showing an ideal capacitor [94,95].
Davies et al. [96] have presented a brief comparison of some reported high specific
capacitances for carbon-based materials.

3.2. Biosensors
Detection of BRCA1 5382insC mutation using independent GCE modified with reduced
graphene oxide (rGO) and MWCNTs has been compared. A probe BRCA1 5382insC muta-
tion detection (ssDNA) was immobilized on the modified electrodes for a specific time.
The modified electrode was performed under optimum conditions using different electro-
chemical methods, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spec-
troscopy (EIS). For ssDNA/PANHS/MWCNTs/GCE a linear range 10−17–1.0 × 10−10 mol/L
with a correlation coefficient of 0.993 and for ssDNA/PANHS/rGO/GCE a linear range
from 1 × 10−18 to 1 × 10−10 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.985 were obtained
[97]. Conducting polymers have been shown as one of the suitable matrices for dispersing
nanoparticles or CNTs [98–100]. In literature, titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles with
MWCNTs nanocomposite was designed via a two step process [101].
Figure 8. shows a schematic diagram for the fabrication of the MWCNTs-TiN nano-
composite for nitrite detection. In the first step, the acid-functionalized MWCNT was
able to act as a nucleating site for the growth of TiO2 nanoparticles. In the second step,
the thermal nitridation of MWCNTs-TiO2 was made using ammonia at 800 °C for 4 h to
produce the MWCNTs-TiN nanocomposites. Hien et al. [102] have investigated an effective
electrochemical method, which was succesfully developed to form polyaniline/MWCNTs
nanocomposite on interdigitated platinum microelectrodes for the enhancement of bio-
sensing performance. In their study, IgG polyclonal antibodies against Japanese encephalitis
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   11

Figure 7. Cyclic voltammograms of (a) MnO2, CNT and CNT-M capacitors, and (b) MnO2, GN and GN-M
capacitors in 1 M Li2SO4 at 30 mVs−1. Source: Reprinted with permission from Ref. [93]. Copyright@Elsevier.

virus (JEV) have been immobilized onto nanocomposite modified microelectrodes, acting
as an electrochemical immunosensor for label-free detection of JEV antigens. The linear
range of the immunosensor for JEV antigens was obtained as 2–250 ng/ml. Equilaz et al.
[103] have reported the application of SWCNTs covalently functionalized with polytyros-
ine (Polytyr) (SWCNT-Polytyr) as an electrode material for the detection of nicotinamide
adeninedinucleotide (NADH)-based biosensors. A biosensor system was designed for the
preparation of Nickel (Ni)-Cobalt (Co) alloy nanowires filled multiwalled carbon nano-
tubes (MWCNTs) with the aid of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN)/Ni-Co catalyst.
12   M. ATES ET AL.

Figure 8. (a) Schematic diagram for the synthesis of MWCNTs-TiN composite for nitrite sensing. Source:
Reprinted with permission from Ref. [101]. Copyright@Elsevier.

The electrochemical measurements show that the fabricated sensor provides an excellent
electrochemical performance toward glucose oxidation with a high sensitivity of 0.695 mA/
mMcm2, low detection limit of 1.2 μM, a wide linear range from 5 μM to 10 mM and good
selectivity [104]. Rabti et al. [105] have discussed various aspects related to the application
of ferrocene-modified CNTs and graphene in electrochemical biosensors, which affect the
analytical performance of the biosensing devices. As a result, CNTs are important transducer
materials in biosensors: high conductivity along their length [106–108], high mechanical
strength, high surface areas, rich optical and electronic properties and excellent chemical
and thermal stability [109].

3.3.  Solar cells

Energy devices such as solar cells, fuel cells and supercapacitors have been used in numerous
low-cost and novel nano-structured materials [110]. Recently, the role of CNTs in solar cells
has been increased from the effective hole transporting materials for organic solar cells to
photo-active materials for Si-based cells [111]. Asghar et al. [112] studied DSC consisting of
a meso-porous dye-sensitized semiconductor film, redox hole transport materials (HTM)
and catalyst material sandwiched between the conducting substrates (Figure 9).
In literature, photovoltaic performances have been a persistent objective for advanced
dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) platforms [113]. In comparison with 8.48% for the Pt
nanotube CE based DSSC, solar cells provide power conversion efficiencies up to 8.21, 7.85,
and 7.30% using Cu@Fe@Pt, Cu@Co@Pt, and Cu@Ni@Pt NWs, respectively. Replacing
the indium tin oxide electrode by CNT have displayed solar cell efficiencies of about 3–4%
for organic bulk hetero-junction devices, enabling a cost-effective fabrication of organic
solar cells by roll-to-roll process [114]. Chang et al. [115] have studied the surface and elec-
trochemical properties of carbon cloth electrodes surface-modified by using atmospheric
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   13

Figure 9. Schematic structure of nano-structured dye solar cells. Source: Reprinted with permission from
Ref. [112]. Copyright@Elsevier.

pressure plasma jets (APPJs) for applications of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs com-
bined with APPJ-treated carbon cloth electrodes showed electrochemical performance of
maximum power density of 7.56 mW/m2 superior to that of MFCs with untreated carbon
cloth electrodes of maximum power density of 2.38 mW/m2. The carbon cloth (CC) mod-
ified MWCNT-MnO2/PPy nanocomposite electrodes have a good biocompatibility that
observed a great realized mediator less MFCs for bio-electricity production from sewage
waste water [116]. Liu et al. [117] have studied poly(34-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)
doped by MWCNTs, which was formed on anode by one-step method to evaluate its prop-
erties for power enhancement in a single-chamber electrochemical cell. Microbial fuel cell
(MFCs) produce electricity by utilizing exoelectrogens as biocatalyst to oxidaze organic
matters, such as acetate, lactate, and glucose [118]. MFCs have applications in energy recov-
ery from biomass, miniaturized power supplies, biosensors and biofilm studies, hydrogen
production, and chemical synthesis systems because of their flexibility in exploiting diverse
sources of bacteria [119].

3.4.  Radar absorbing materials

A radar absorbing technology which deals with the electromagnetic wave absorbing mate-
rials is an important phenomena in a variety of applications, including protection of human
eyes, minimizing radar signature of a target, protective shielding of computers, optical sen-
sors from intense laser pulses, and consumer electronics. With the multi-frequency detection
modes, composites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes situated into a polymer matrix have
been studied for applications in the microwave frequency range, such as electromagnetic
interference shielding, anti-reflections, and microwave absorbers [120,121]. CNTs are used
as excellent fillers due to their proper strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity, thermal con-
ductivity, electical capacity along with large electromagnetic wave absorption capability in
the microwave range [122]. Zakharychev et al. [123] have studied radar absorbing properties
of the composites based on the epoxy binder and CNT in the frequency of 52–73 GHz.
14   M. ATES ET AL.

3.5. Corrosion
Corrosion is known as one of the most significant degradation reasons in different indus-
tries. Therefore, reducing methods of corrosion and wear costs are being greatly investigated.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were applied in various fields due to their unique structural,
mechanical, electronic and thermal properties [124,125]. The CNT-doped composites show
favorable intensity, stress and fatigue resistance [126]. Furthermore, CNTs have been used
as excellent hydrogen storage materials, chemical sensors and electrodes [127,128]. When
used as adulterants, CNTs have been added into polyaniline coating to decrease the perme-
ability of coating for oxygen and corrosive solution [129] and have been added into epoxy
coating to increase adhesion and cohesion between coatings and metal substrates [130].
Xia et al. [131] have designed a hybrid GO/epoxy resin composite, which can be consid-
ered as promising candidates for protective coatings in nuclear industry. MWCNTs, car-
boxylated water dispersed with nanosized Silver, Copper and Aluminium oxide were tested
for corrosion performance but found to be giving corrosion performance in automotive
industry [132]. Therefore, addition of CNTs to composites has been indicated to improve
corrosion resistance based on the chemically inert nature of CNTs, their filing up of the voids
in the coatings or by changing the protection mechanism to cation transport as in the case
of conducting polymers. Different phosphonic acid surfactants on MWCNTs were presented
in benzylphosphonic acid (BPA), hexylphosphonic acid (HPA) and decylphosphonic acid
(DPA). DPA-modified MWCNT alkyd coatings have better corrosion protection to steel
compared with the surfactant-free coating [133]. Polyaniline was synthesized with ammo-
nium peroxydisulphate as an oxidant in an immiscible organic/aqueous biphasic system
and with DPA or BPA in aqueous phase. Nanofibers of aniline oligomers were produced
using BPA in the aqueous phase while high quality PANI nanotubes were produced using
DPA in the aqueous phase. As a result, corrosion protection tests show high corrosion
protection efficiency of PANI nanotubes due to their high surface area and corrosion inhib-
itive properties of DPA dopant [134]. He et al. [135] have chemically synthesized a new
type of functional nanoreservoir based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs and
β-cyclodextrin). The anticorrosion and self-healing properties of modified films were stud-
ied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scarification test.

4.  Concluding remarks

This review article investigates the CNTs and related nanocomposites with their industrial
applications. There are many advantageous of CNTs, such as small volume and consequently
lighter weight, resistant to temperature changes. However, there are specific disadvanta-
geous, such as manipulation of these materials due to their small size. These materials are
also expensive and lacking of comprehensive studies showing the main concepts regarding
their potentials to be employe in industrial applications. CNTs can be categorized in two
main categories: Single-wall carbon nanotubes and multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Both are
used in numerous applications such as biotechnology, nanoelectronics, supercapacitors
and biosensors. A few equivalent circuit models were explained as their circuit parameters.
Nanocomposite section was given in parts such as polymer/CNT, activated carbon/CNT,
metal oxide/CNT and carbon fibers/CNT. In the last section, the usage of CNTs was pre-
sented in industrial applications, including supercapacitors, biosensors, solar cells, radar
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   15

absorbing materials and corrosion. As a result, CNTs and its nanocomposites are greatly
used in many applications in order to increase electrical, mechanical and thermal properties
of nanomaterials.

Abbreviations

ACHFs  Activated hollow carbon fibers

ACs  Activated carbons
BPA  Bezylphosphonic acid
CC  Carbon cloth
CNTs  Carbon nanotubes
CNTs-Ni-ACHFs  Carbon nanotubes and nickel activated hollow carbon fibers
CV  Cyclic voltammetry
DSSC  Dye-sensitized solar cells
DPA  Decylphosphonic acid
EDLCs  Electric double layer capacitances
EIS  Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
EPD  Electrophrotic deposition
FSCs  Flexible and stretchable circuits
GO  Graphene oxide
HPA  Hexylphosphonic acid
IME  Interdigitated microelectrode
(MFCs)  Microbial fuel cell
MWCNTs  Multi-walled carbon nanotubes
MgO  Magnesium oxide
MSR  Methylsilicone resin
PANI Polyaniline
PEI Polyethylenimine
PEDOT Poly(34-ethylenedioxythiophene)
PVDF  Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
PSS  Polystyrene sulfonate
SWCNTs  Single-walled carbon nanotubes
rGO  Reduced graphene oxide
TiO2  Titanium dioxide
TiN  Titanium nitride

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID
Murat Ates   http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1806-0330
16   M. ATES ET AL.

References
  [1]  Baibarac M, Gomez-Romero P, Lira-Cantu M, et al. Electrosynthesis of the poly(N-
vinylcarbazole)/carbon nanotubes composite for applications in the supercapacitor field. Eur
Polymer J. 2006;42:2302–2312.
  [2] Baibarac M, Gomez-Romero P. Nanocomposites based on conducting polymers and carbon
nanotubes from fancy materials to functional applications. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2005;6:289–
302.
  [3] Obreja VVN. On the performance of supercapacitors with electrodes based on carbon
nanotubes and carbon activated material-A review. Phys E. 2008;40:2596–2605.
  [4] Jin C, Suenaga K, Iijima S. Vacancy migrations in carbon nanotubes. Nano Lett. 2008;8:1127–
1130.
  [5] Saito R, Fujita M, Dresselhaus G, et al. Electronic structure of graphene tubules based on C-60.
Phys Rev B. 1992;46:1804–1811.
  [6] Frackowiak E. Carbon materials for supercapacitor application. Phys Chem Chem Phys.
2007;9:1774–1785.
  [7] Dikin DA, Stankovich S, Zimney EJ, et al. Preparation and characterization of graphene oxide
paper. Nature. 2007;448:457–460.
  [8] Stoller MD, Park SJ, Zhu YW, et al. Graphene-based ultracapacitors. Nano Lett. 2008;8:3498–
3502.
  [9] Chang-Jian SK, Ho JR, Cheng JWJ, et al. Fabrication of carbon nanotube field emission
cathodes in pattern by a laser transfer method. Nanotechnology. 2006;17:1184–1187.
  [10] Munir KS, Li Y, Qian M, et al. Identifying and understanding the effect of milling energy on
the synthesis of carbon nanotubes reinforced titanium metal matrix composites. Carbon.
2016;99:384–397.
  [11] Dongil AB, Pastor-Pérez L, Sepúlveda-Escribano A, et al. Hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol:
tuning the selectivity to cyclohexene by introducing Ni nanoparticles inside carbon nanotubes.
Fuel. 2016;172:65–69.
  [12] Chen T, Dai L. Carbon nanomaterials for high-performance supercapacitors. Mater Today.
2013;16:272–280.
  [13] Liao Y, Yu DG, Wang X, et al. Carbon nanotube-templated polyaniline nanofibers: synthesis,
flash welding and ultrafiltration membranes. Nanoscale. 2013;5:3856–3862.
  [14] An KH, Jeon KK, Heo JK, et al. High-capacitance supercapacitor using a nanocomposite electrode
of single-walled carbon nanotube and polypyrrole. J Electrochem Soc. 2002;149:A1058–A1062.
  [15] Ham HT, Choi YS, Jeong N, et al. Singlewall carbon nanotubes covered with polypyrrole
nanoparticles by the miniemulsion polymerization. Polymer. 2005;46:6308–6315.
 [16]  Soltani A, Moradi AV, Lemeski ET. The interaction of 2,6-dichlorobenzylidene-2,4-
dichloroaniline (2,6-DBDA) and 2,4-dichlorobenzylidene-2,4-dichloroaniline (2,4-DBDA)
with single-walled carbon nanotube: a DFT study. J Mol Struct. 2016;1105:128–134.
  [17] Li Y, Wang S, Wang T, et al. Functional and unmodified MWNTs for delivery of the water-
insoluble drug Carvedilol – A drug-loading mechanism. Appl Surf Sci. 2011;257:5663–5670.
  [18] Vashist SK, Zheng D, Pastorin G, et al. Delivery of drugs and biomolecules using carbon
nanotubes. Carbon. 2011;49:4077–4097.
  [19] Rincón ME, Tenorio GA, Vargas MG, et al. Fabrication of single walled carbon nanotubes/
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) layers under enhanced gravity
drying. Thin Solid Films. 2015;597:70–76.
  [20] Adachi N, Okada M, Sugeno M, et al. Fluorescence turn-on chemical sensor based on water-
soluble conjugated polymer/single/walled carbon nanotube composite. J Appl Polym Sci.
2016;133:43301–43308.
  [21] Aral H, Çelik KS, Aral T, et al. Preparation of a novel ionic hybrid stationary phase by non-
covalent functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes with amino-derivatized silica
gel for fast HPLC separation of aromatic compounds. Talanta. 2016;149:21–29.
  [22] Ye HS, Liu X, Cui HF, et al. Electrochemical oxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and its
application to electrochemical double layer capacitors. Electrochem Commun. 2005;7:249–255.
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   17

  [23] Liu CG, Fang HT, Li F, et al. Single-walled carbon nanotubes modified by electrochemical
treatment for application in electrochemical capacitors. J Power Sources. 2006;160:758–761.
  [24] Cui W, Ma H, Tian B, et al. Electrowetting on a multi-walled carbon nanotube membrane with
different droplet sizes in an electric field. J Mater Sci. 2016;51:4031–4036.
  [25] Pu J, Wan SW, Lu Z, et al. Controlled water adhesion and electrowetting of conducting
hydrophobic graphene/carbon nanotubes composite films on engineering materials. J Mater
Chem A. 2013;1:1254–1260.
  [26] Ziyatdinova G, Kozlova E, Budnikov H. Chronocoulometry of wine on multi-walled carbon
nanotube modified electrode: antioxidant capacity assay. Food Chem. 2016;196:405–410.
  [27] Navarro RM, Beltran-Gatelum M, Reynoso-Soto EA, et al. Bimetallic Pt–Au nanoparticles
supported on multi-wall carbon nanotubes as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction. Renewable
Energy. 2016;87:31–41.
  [28] Liang S, Li G, Tian R. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with a ultrahigh fraction
of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups by ultrasound-assisted oxidation. J Mater Sci. 2016;51:3513–
3524.
 [29] Ng CM, Manickam S. Improved functionalization and recovery of carboxylated carbon
nanotubes using the acoustic cavitation approach. Chem Phys Lett. 2013;557:97–101.
  [30] Cebeci FÇ, Sezer E, Sarac AS. A novel EDOT-nonylbithiazole-EDOT based comonomer as
an active electrode material for supercapacitor applications. Electrochim Acta. 2009;54:6354–
6360.
  [31] Zhao X, Tian H, Zhu M, et al. Carbon nanosheets as the electrode material in supercapacitors.
J Power Sources. 2009;194:1208–1212.
  [32] Calvert P. Inkjet printing for materials and devices. Chem Mater. 2001;13:3299–3305.
  [33] Dong T, Chen W, Wang C, et al. One-step synthesis of uniform silver nanoparticles capped by
saturated decanoate: direct spray printing ink to form metallic silver films. Phys Chem Chem
Phys. 2009;11:6269–6275.
  [34] Wang N, Jiang D, Ye L, et al. Flexible multifunctionalized carbon nanotubes-based hybrid
nanowires. Adv Funct Mater. 2015;25:4135–4143.
  [35] Kordás K, Mustonen T, Tóth G, et al. Inkjet printing of electrically conductive patterns of
carbon nanotubes. Small. 2006;2:1021–1025.
  [36] Wu J, Agrawal M, Becerril HA, et al. Organic light-emitting diodes on solution-processed
graphene transparent electrodes. ACS Nano. 2010;4:43–48.
  [37] Hu L, Kim HS, Lee J, et al. Scalable coating and properties of transparent, flexible, silver
nanowire electrodes. ACS Nano. 2010;4:2955–2963.
 [38]  Chang FY, Chen MK, Wang LS. Highly sensitive three-dimensional interdigitated
microelectrode for microparticle detection using electrical impedance spectroscopy. J Phys
D: Appl Phys. 2016;49:075403–075414.
 [39] Satici T, Sarac AS. Synthesis and characterization of poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylacetate)/
Fe2O3@PEDOT core-shell nanocapsules and nanofibers. Int J Polym Mater Polym Biomater.
2015;64:597–609.
  [40] Jilani MT, Wen WP, Cheong LY, et al. Equivalent circuit modeling of the dielectric loaded
microwave biosensor. Radioengineering. 2014;23:1038–1047.
  [41] Musiani MM. Characterization of electroactive polymer layers by electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochim Acta. 1990;35(10):1665–1670.
  [42] Bobacka J, Grzeszczuk M, Ivaska A. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of oxidized
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) film electrodes in aqueous solutions. J Electroanal Chem.
2000;489:17–27.
  [43] Grzeszczuk M, Bobacka J, Ivaska A. Ion transfer at a poly(3-octylthiophene) film electrode.
J Electroanal Chem. 1993;362:287–289.
  [44] Bobacka J, Grzeszczuk M, Ivaska A. Electron transfer at conducting polymer film electrodes:
mechanism and kinetics of ferrocene oxidation at poly(3-octylthiophene). J Electroanal Chem.
1997;427:63–69.
  [45] Pan H, Li J, Feng YP. Carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor. Nanoscale Res Lett. 2010;5:654–668.
18   M. ATES ET AL.

  [46] Kavita M, Mordina B, Tiwari RK. Thermal and mechanical behavior of poly(vinyl butyral)-
modified novolac epoxy / multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites. J Appl Polym Sci.
2016;133:43333–43344.
  [47] Spitalsky Z, Tasis D, Papagelis K, et al. Carbon nanotube-polymer composites: chemistry,
processing, mechanical and electrical properties. Prog Polym Sci. 2010;35:357–401.
  [48] Bouchard J, Cayla A, Devaux E, et al. Electrical and thermal conductivities of multiwalled
carbon nanotubes-reinforced high performance polymer nanocomposites. Compos Sci
Technol. 2013;86:177–184.
  [49] Ensafi AA, Heydari-Soureshjani E, Jafari-Asl M, et al. Polyoxometalate-decorated graphene
nanosheets and carbon nanotubes, powerful electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction.
Carbon. 2016;99:398–406.
  [50] Okajima K, Ikeda A, Kamoshita K, et al. High rate performance of highly dispersed C60 on
activated carbon capacitor. Electrochim Acta. 2005;51:972–977.
  [51] Zhou C, Kumar S, Doyle CD, et al. Functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes treated with
pyrrole for electrochemical supercapacitor membranes. Chem Mater. 2005;17:1997–2002.
  [52] Yoon BJ, Jeong SH, Lee KH, et al. Electrical properties of electrical double layer capacitors with
integrated carbon nanotube electrodes. Chem Phys Lett. 2004;388:170–174.
  [53] Koysuren O, Du C, Pan N, et al. Preparation and comparison of two electrodes for supercapacitors:
Pani/CNT/Ni and Pani/Alizarin-treated nickel. J Appl Polym Sci. 2009;113:1070–1081.
  [54] Wang DW, Li F, Zhao J, et al. Fabrication of graphene(polyaniline composite paper via in situ
anodic electropolymerization for high performance flexible electrode. ACS Nano. 2009;3:1745–
1752.
 [55]  Kim CM, Ullah A, Kim KG, et al. Preparation of carbon nanotube-wrapped porous
microparticles using a microfluodic device. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2016;16:12003–12008.
  [56] Paul S, Lee YS, Choi JA, et al. Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of polypyrrole/
multi-walled carbon nanotube composite electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Bull
Korean Chem Soc. 2010;31:1228–1232.
  [57] Kim JY, Kim KH, Kim KB. Fabrication and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotube/
polypyrrole composite film electrodes with controlled pore size. J Power Sources. 2008;176:396–
402.
 [58]  Béguin F, Szostak K, Lillo-Rodenas M, et al. Carbon nanotubes as bakbones for composite
electrodes of supercapacitors. AIP Conf Proc. 2004;723:460–464.
 [59] Otrokhov G, Pankratov D, Shumakovich G, et al. Enzymatic synthesis of polyaniline/
multi-walled carbon nanotube composites with core-shell structure and its electrochemical
characterization for supercapacitor application. Electrochim Acta. 2014;123:151–157.
 [60] Gnanakan S, Richard P, Murugananthem N, et al. Organic acid doped polythiophene
nanoparticles as electrode material for redox supercapacitors. Polym Adv Technol. 2011;22:788–
793.
 [61]  Navarro-Flores E, Omanovic S. Hydrogen evolution on nickel incorporated in three-
dimensional conducting polymer layers. J Mol Catal A Chem. 2005;242:182–194.
  [62] An KH, Jeong SY, Hwang HR, et al. Enhanced sensitivity of a gas sensor incorporating single-
walled carbon nanotube–polypyrrole nanocomposites. Adv Mater. 2004;16:1005–1009.
  [63] Cheng G, Zhao J, Tu Y, et al. A sensitive DNA electrochemical biosensor based on magnetite
with a glassy carbon electrode modified by muti-walled carbon nanotubes in polypyrrole.
Anal Chim Acta. 2005;533:11–16.
  [64] Wang Y, Zhang S, Deng Y. Semiconductor to metallic behavior transition in multi-wall carbon
nanotubes/polyaniline composites with improved thermoelectric properties. Mater Lett.
2016;164:132–135.
  [65] Blaszczyk-Lezak I, Desmaret V, Mijangos C. Electrically conducting polymer nanostructures
confined in anodized aluminum oxide templates (AAO). Express Polym Lett. 2016;10:259–272.
  [66] Choudhury A, Kar P. Doping effect of carboxylic acid group functionalized multi-walled
carbon nanotube on polyaniline. Compos Part B Eng. 2011;42:1641–1647.
  [67] Taberna PL, Chevallier G, Simon P, et al. Activated carbon-carbon nanotube composite porous
film for supercapacitor applications. Mater Res Bull. 2006;41:478–484.
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   19

 [68] Huq MM, Hsieh CT, Ho CY. Preparation of carbon nanotube-activated carbon hybrid
electrodes by electrophoretic deposition for supercapacitor applications. Diamond Related
Mater. 2016;62:58–64.
  [69] Khomenko V, Raymundo-Pinero E, Beguin F. High-energy density graphite/AC capacitor in
organic electrolyte. J Power Sources. 2008;177:643–651.
  [70] Qiu J, Wu X, Qiu T. High electromagnetic wave absorbing performance of activated hollow
carbon fibers decorated with CNTs and Ni nanoparticles. Ceram Int. 2016;42:5278–5285.
  [71] Gangupomu RH, Sattler ML, Ramirez D. Comparative study of carbon nanotubes and granular
activated carbon: physicochemical properties and adsorption capacities. J Hazard Mater.
2016;302:362–374.
  [72] Wang YG, Wang ZD, Xia YY. An asymmetric supercapacitor using RuO2/TiO2 nanotube
composite and activated carbon electrodes. Electrochim Acta. 2005;50:5641–5646.
 [73]  Alam RS, Moradi M, Nikmanesh H. Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes
(MWCNTs) volume percentage on the magnetic and microwave absorbing properties of
BaMg0.5Co0.5TiFe10O19/MWCNTs nanocomposites. Mater Res Bull. 2016;73:261–267.
  [74] Yuan QH, Zeng XS, Liu Y, et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy
reinforced by carbon nanotubes coated with MgO. Carbon. 2016;96:843–855.
  [75] Lv QY, Wang S, Sun HY, et al. Solid-state thin film supercapacitors with ultrafast charge/
discharge based on N-doped carbon-tubes/Au nanoparticles doped-MnO2 nanocomposites.
Nano Lett. 2016;16:40–47.
  [76] Yuan D, Yang W, Ni J, et al. Sandwich structured MoO2@TiO2@CNT nanocomposites with
high-rate performance for lithium ion batteries. Electrochim Acta. 2015;163:57–63.
  [77] Islam MS, Deng Y, Tong L, et al. Grafting carbon nanotubes directly onto carbon fibers for
superior mechanical stability: towards next generation aerospace composites and energy
storage applications. Carbon. 2016;96:701–710.
  [78] Wang C, He X, Tong L, et al. Theoretical prediction and experimental verification of pulling
carbon nanotubes from carbon fiber prepared by chemical grafting method. Compos A Appl
Sci Manuf. 2013;50:1–10.
  [79] Bekyarova E, Thostenson E, Yu A, et al. Multiscale carbon nanotube-carbon fiber reinforcement
for advantaged epoxy composites. Langmuir. 2007;23:3970–3974.
  [80] Wu G, Ma L, Liu L, et al. Interface enhancement of carbon fiber reinforced methylphenylsilicone
resin composites modified with silanized carbon nanotubes. Mater Des. 2016;89:1343–1349.
  [81] Wang Y, Colas G, Filleter T. Improvements in the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube
fibers through graphene oxide interlocking. Carbon. 2016;98:291–299.
  [82] Yang LJ, Cui JL, Wang Y, et al. Research progress on the interconnection of carbon nanotubes.
New Carbon Mater. 2016;31:1–17.
  [83] Tamrakar S, An Q, Thostenson ET, et al. Tailoring interfacial properties by controlling carbon
nanotube coating thickness on glass fibers using electrophoretic deposition. ACS Appl Mater
Interfaces. 2016;8:1501–1510.
  [84] Lagoutte S, Aubert PH, Pinault M, et al. Poly(3-methylthiophene)/vertically aligned multi-
walled carbon nanotubes: electrochemical synthesis, characterizations and electrochemical
storage properties in ıonic liquids. Electrochim Acta. 2014;130:754–765.
  [85] Liu CG, Liu M, Li F, et al. Frequency response characteristic of single-walled carbon nanotubes
as supercapacitor electrode materials. Appl Phys Lett. 2008;92:143108-143111.
  [86] Yu Z, Tetard L, Zhai L, et al. Supercapacitor electrode-materials nanostructures from 0 to 3
dimensions. Energy @. Environ Sci. 2013;8:702–730.
  [87] Borenstien A, Noked M, Okashy S, et al. Composite carbon nanotubes (CNT)/activated carbon
electrodes for non-aqueous supercapacitors using organic electrolyte solutions. J Electrochem
Soc. 2013;160:A1282–A1285.
  [88] Peng C, Zhang S, Jewell D, et al. Carbon nanotube and conducting polymer composites for
supercapacitors. Prog Nat Sci. 2008;18:777–788.
  [89] Zhou Y, Qin ZY, Li L, et al. Polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites with core-
shell structures as supercapacitor electrode materials. Electrochim Acta. 2010;55:3904–3908.
20   M. ATES ET AL.

  [90] Zhao Y, Zhang Z, Ren Y, et al. Vapor deposition polymerization of aniline on 3D hierarchical

porous carbon with enhanced cycling stability as supercapacitor electrode. J Power Sources.
2015;286:1–9.
 [91] Khomenko VE, Frackowiak E, Béguin F. Determination of the specific capacitance of
conducting polymer/nanotubes composite electrodes using different cell configurations.
Electrochim Acta. 2005;50:2499–2506.
  [92] Simon P, Gogotsi Y. Materials for electrochemical capacitors. Nat Mater. 2008;7:845–854.
  [93] Hsieh CT, Tzou DY, Lee WY, et al. Deposition of MnO2 nanoneedles on carbon nanotubes and
graphene nanosheets as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors. J Alloy Compd.
2016;660:99–107.
  [94] Subramanian V, Zhu HW, Vajtai R, et al. Hydrothermal synthesis and pseudocapacitance
properties of MnO 2 nanostructures. J Phys Chem B. 2005;109:20207–20214.
  [95] Hsieh CT, Lee WY, Lee CE, et al. Electrochemical capacitors fabricated with tin oxide/graphene
oxide nanocomposites. J Phys Chem C. 2014;118:15146–15153.
  [96] Davies A, Yu A. Material advancements in supercapacitors: from activated carbon to carbon
nanotube and graphene. Can J Chem Eng. 2011;89:1342–1357.
  [97] Benvidi A, Tezerjani MD, Jahanbani S, et al. Comparison of impedimetric detection of DNA
hybridization on the various biosensors based on modified glassy carbon electrodes with
PANHS and nanomaterials of RGO and MWCNTs. Talanta. 2016;147:621–627.
  [98] Santhosha P, Gopalana A, Lee KP. Gold nanoparticles dispersed polyaniline grafted multiwall
carbon nanotubes as newer electrocatalysts: preparation and performances for methanol
oxidation. J Catal. 2006;238:177–185.
 [99]  Yang T, Feng Y, Jiao K. A DNA electrochemical sensor based on nanogold-modified
poly(2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) film and detection of PAT gene fragment. Anal Biochem.
2007;365:24–30.
[100] Eksin E, Bolat G, Kuralay F, et al. Preparation of gold nanoparticles/single-walled carbon
nanotubes/polyaniline composite-coated electrode developed for DNA detection. Polym Bull.
2015;72:3135–3146.
[101] Haldorai Y, Hwang SK, Gopalan AI, et al. Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c immobilized
on titanium nitride/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite for amperometric nitrite
biosensor. Biosens Bioelectron. 2016;79:543–552.
[102] Hien HT, Giang HT, Trung T, et al. Enhancement of biosensing performance using a polyaniline/
multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite. J Mater Sci. 2017;52(3):1694–1703.
[103] Equilaz M, Gutierrez F, Gonzalez-Dominguez JM, et al. Single-walled carbon nanotubes
covalently functionalized with polytyrosine: a new material for the development of NADH-
based biosensors. Biosens Bioelectron. 2016;86:308–314.
[104] Ramachandran K, Taj Kumar T, Justice Babu K, et al. Ni-Co bimetal nanowires filled
multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the highly sensitive and selective non-enzymatic glucose
sensor applications. Sci Rep. 2016;6:36583–36595.
[105] Rabti A, Raouafi N, Merkoçi A. Bio(sensing) devices based on ferrocene–functionalized
graphene and carbon nanotubes. Carbon. 2016;108:481–514.
[106] Heller I, Kong J, Heering HA, et al. Individual single-walled carbon nanotubes as nanoelectrodes
for electrochemistry. Nano Lett. 2005;5:137–142.
[107] Krapf D, Quinn BM, Wu MY, et al. Experimental observation of nonlinear ionic transport at
the nanometer scale. Nano Lett. 2006;6:2531–2535.
[108] Gooding JJ, Chou A, Liu JQ, et al. The effects of the lengths and orientations of single-walled
carbon nanotubes on the electrochemistry of nanotube-modified electrodes. Electrochem
Commun. 2007;9:1677–1683.
[109] Ajayan PM. Nanotubes from carbon. Chem Rev. 1999;99:1787–1800.
[110] Lenert A, Bierman DM, Nam Y, et al. A nanophotonic solar thermophotovoltaic device. Nat
Nanotechnol. 2014;9:126–130.
[111] Arici E, Karazharov S. Carbon nanotubes for organic/inorganic hybrid solar cells. Mater Sci
Semicond Process. 2016;41:1137–1149.
[112] Asghar MI, Lund PD. Improving catalyst stability in nano-structured solar and fuel cells. Catal
Today. 2016;259:259–265.
 JOURNAL OF ADHESION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY   21

[113] Duan J, Tang Q, Zhang H, et al. Counter electrode electrocatalysts from one-dimensional

coaxial alloy nanowires for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources. 2016;302:361–
368.
[114] Arici E, Karazhanov S. Carbon nanotubes for organic/inorganic hybrid solar cells. Mater Sci
Semicond Process. 2016;41:137–149.
[115] Chang SH, Liou JS, Liu JL. Feasibility study of surface-modified carbon cloth electrodes using
atmospheric pressure plasma jets for microbial fuel cells. J Power Sources. 2016;336:99–106.
[116] Mishra P, Jain R. Electrochemical deposition of MWCNT-MnO2/PPy nano-composite
application for microbial fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy. 2016;41:22394–22405.
[117] Liu X, Gu ZZ. Application of entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes doped poly(3,4-
ethylenedioxythiophene) network on the anode to increase the power generation in a microbial
fuel cells. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2016;16:12369–12373.
[118] Yazdi AA, D’Angelo L, Omer N, et al. Carbon nanotube modification of microbial fuel cell
electrodes. Biosens Bioelectron. 2016;85:536–552.
[119] Hernandez-Fernandez F, de los Rios AP, Salar-Garcia M, et al. Recent progress and perspectives
in microbial fuel cells for bioenergy generation and wastewater treatment. Fuel Process Technol.
2015;138:284–297.
[120] Deng L, Han M. Microwave absorbing performances of multiwalled carbon nanotube
composites with negative permeability. Appl Phys Lett. 2007;91:23119–23121.
[121] Lin H, Zhu H, Guo LY. Investigation of the microwave-absorbing properties of Fe-filled carbon
nanotubes. Mater Lett. 2007;61:3547–3550.
[122] Da Silva LV, Pezzin SH, Rezende MC, et al. Glass fiber/carbon nanotubes/epoxy three-
component composites as radar absorbing materials. Polym Compos. 2016;37:2277–2284.
[123] Zakharychev EA, Razov EN, Semchikov YD, et al. Radar absorbing properties of carbon
nanotubes/polymer composites in the V-band. Bull Mater Sci. 2016;39:451–456.
[124] Canobre SC, Almeida DAL, Fonseca CP, et al. Synthesis and characterization of hybrid
composites based on carbon nanotubes. Electrochim Acta. 2009;54:6383–6388.
[125] Jarernboon W, Pimanpang S, Maensiri S, et al. Effects of multiwall carbon nanotubes in
reducing microcrack formation on electrophoretically deposited TiO2 film. J Alloy Compd.
2009;476:840–846.
[126] Zein SHS, Yeoh LC, Chai SP, et al. Synthesis of manganese oxide/carbon nanotube
nanocomposites using wet chemical method. J Mater Process Technol. 2007;190:402–405.
[127] Dillon AC, Jones KM, Bekkedahl TA, et al. Storage of hydrogen in single-walled carbon
nanotubes. Nature. 1997;386:377–379.
[128] Serp P, Corrias M, Kalck P. Carbon nanotubes and nanofibers in catalysis. Appl Catal A General.
2003;253:337–358.
[129] Deyab MA. Corrosion protection of aluminum bipolar plates with polyaniline coating
containing carbon nanotubes in acidic medium inside the polymer electrolyte membrane
fuel cell. J Power Sources. 2014;268:50–55.
[130] Ganguli S, Aglan H, Dennig P, et al. Effect of loading and surface modification of MWCNTs
on the fracture behaviour of epoxy nanocomposites. Plast Compos. 2006;25:175–188.
[131] Xia W, Xue H, Wang J, et al. Functionlized graphene serving as free radical scavenger and
corrosion protection in gamma-irradiated epoxy composites. Carbon. 2016;101:315–323.
[132] Srinivas V, Moorthy CVKNSN, Dedeepya V, et al. Nanofluids with CNTs for automotive
applications. Heat Mass Transfer. 2016;52:701–712.
[133] Oueiny C, Berlioz S, Patout L, et al. Aqueous dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes with
phosphonic acid derivatives. Colloids Surf A. 2016;493:41–51.
[134] Oueiny C, Berlioz S, Perrin FX. Assembly of polyaniline nanotubes by interfacial polymerization
for corrosion protection. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2016;18:3504–3509.
[135] He Y, Zhang C, Wu F, et al. Fabrication study of a new anticorrosion coating based on
supramolecular nanocontainer. Synth Met. 2016;212:186–194.