Electrode with carbon nanotube scaffold

An electrode (1), comprising

• a 3D composite current collector (2), comprising an electrically conductive substrate current collector (3) with a plurality of laterally distributed electrically conductive upstanding scaffolding elements (4)
• wherein the scaffolding element (4) comprises a structure (6) of agglomerated carbon nanotubes (7) oriented largely parallel in a direction away from the substrate, wherein, the structure of agglomerated carbon nanotubes is covered by a passivation layer (10) for shielding the carbon nanotubes 7 from a direct contact with an electrode material and/or an electrolyte material, whereby said passivation layer (10) is comprised of a first composition (10c) allowing electron transport to/from the structure of agglomerated carbon nanotubes
• wherein the first composition (10c) comprises a metal or metal alloy selected from a group consisting of Aluminum, Nickel, Copper, Silver, Gold, Palladium, Platinum, or combinations of two or more thereof;
• or
• wherein the first composition (10c) comprises an electrical insulator having a thickness and resistivity configured to form a tunnel junction to the structure (6) of agglomerated carbon nanotubes.