Functionalized MWCNT-integrated natural clay nanosystem: a promising eco-friendly capacitor for energy storage applications

This study delves into the structural and morphological characteristics of MWCNT-doped natural kaolinite nano clays, leading to significant changes in their electrical and electrochemical properties through the doping processes. Specifically, MWCNT has been doped using two different methods, resulting in distinct physicochemical properties. In one approach, a chemical route has been employed to modify the surface of MWCNT and kaolinite, creating an alignment that forms “micro capacitors” with enhanced electrical polarizability. Conversely, the uncontrolled growth of the nanocomposite results in a random arrangement, exhibiting lower charge storage efficiency. The characterization of naturally formed kaolinite and its conjugated counterparts have been investigated via conventional characterization tools like XRD, FESEM, TEM, EDS, Zeta, etc. The XRD refinement has been adopted to investigate the microstructural evaluation of the nanocomposites by the MAUD software package. The findings indicate that natural kaolinite-MWCNT nanocomposite shows promise as a “green alternative” and has the potential to replace conventional storage materials effectively if appropriately refined.