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4251431 
Journal Article 
Improved functionality of graphene and carbon nanotube hybrid foam architecture by UV-ozone treatment 
Wang, W; Ruiz, I; Lee, I; Zaera, F; Ozkan, M; Ozkan, CS 
2015 
1 
Nanoscale
ISSN: 2040-3364
EISSN: 2040-3372 
7 
16 
7045-7050 
English 
25695726 
WOS:000352905700013 
Optimization of the electrode/electrolyte double-layer interface is a key factor for improving electrode performance of aqueous electrolyte based supercapacitors (SCs). Here, we report the improved functionality of carbon materials via a non-invasive, high-throughput, and inexpensive UV generated ozone (UV-ozone) treatment. This process allows precise tuning of the graphene and carbon nanotube hybrid foam (GM) transitionally from ultrahydrophobic to hydrophilic within 60 s. The continuous tuning of surface energy can be controlled by simply varying the UV-ozone exposure time, while the ozone-oxidized carbon nanostructure maintains its integrity. Symmetric SCs based on the UV-ozone treated GM foam demonstrated enhanced rate performance. This technique can be readily applied to other CVD-grown carbonaceous materials by taking advantage of its ease of processing, low cost, scalability, and controllability.