High performance carbon nanotube energy storage device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an energy storage device and a method for manufacturing the energy storage device. The method includes accessing a metal substrate and forming plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) directly on a metal substrate. The method further includes removing substantially all amorphous carbon from said plurality of CNTs and coupling the plurality of CNTs to an electrolytic separator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for forming a portion of an energy storage device, said method comprising:
 accessing a metal substrate;   forming plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) directly on a metal substrate;   removing amorphous carbon from said plurality of CNTs; and   coupling said plurality of CNTs to an electrolytic separator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said metal substrate comprises a metal catalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said metal substrate is coated with a metal catalyst. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of CNTs are grown directly on said metal substrate without addition of a catalyst layer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said amorphous carbon is removed via a process involving water. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of CNTs is substantially vertically aligned. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of CNTs are formed via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a capacitor, said method comprising:
 forming a first plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a first metal substrate;   removing amorphous carbon from said first plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs);   forming a second plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a second metal substrate;   removing amorphous carbon from said second plurality of CNTs; and   coupling said first plurality of CNTs and said second plurality of CNTs to a membrane.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first metal substrate and said second metal substrate comprise a metal catalyst. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first metal substrate and said second metal substrate are coated with a metal catalyst. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first plurality of CNTs are grown on said first metal substrate without addition of a catalyst layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first plurality of CNTs is substantially vertically aligned. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said membrane is an electrolytic separator.