Electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis of the interaction of Cr and V with MWCNTs.

The presented scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) results show the strong reaction of Cr and V with the graphitic walls of MWCNTs. For Vanadium, an interfacial VC layer could be observed at the interface between VN and MWCNTs, when the samples were heated in situ to 750°C. Knowledge about this interfacial VC layer is important for the formation of VN-MWCNT hybrid materials, used in supercapacitor electrodes, often synthesized at high temperatures.