Electrodeposition of nickel nanoparticles onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The process of nickel nanoparticle nucleation and growth during galvanochemical deposition on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes has been studied. The dependences of the morphology, size, and spacing of nickel nanoparticles on the deposition time at a current density of 5 and 0.5 A/dm² are determined.     

水溶液中分散的多壁碳纳米管与血液蛋白质分子的作用研究

碳纳米管在水溶液中的稳定分散和与蛋白质分子的作用是实现其生物医学应用的重要研究内容之一。采用混合强酸结合超声处理的方法对多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）进行表面氧化处理,得到可以在无表面活性剂条件下稳定分散的MWCNTs水溶液。对该水溶液进行高速和超高速离心,通过扫描电镜、紫外/可见/近红外分光光度仪、激光动态光散射和X-射线光电子能谱分析等方法分别对留在水中和沉淀出来的MWCNTs进行表征。结果表明,经过氧化处理的MWCNTs表面引入了包括羧基在内的含氧基团,长度由初始的50μm变为500nm～800nm,且经过不同离心力作用下得到的上清液中MWCNTs的尺寸分布没有明显差别;MWCNTs水溶液在253nm处有与MWCNTs浓度相关的特征吸收峰,由此建立了测定水溶液中MWCNTs浓度的光谱分析方法。此外,通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺（SDS）凝胶电泳和荧光光谱分析方法研究了分散在水中的MWCNTs对单一白蛋白、单一纤维蛋白原、以及两种混合蛋白的吸附作用,探讨了聚乙二醇甲醚（PEG）修饰抑制纤维蛋白原在MWCNTs上吸附的可能性。结果表明,MWCNTs对两种单一蛋白均有吸附,对纤维蛋白原的吸附更加强烈。在双蛋白混合溶液中,MWCNTs对纤维蛋白原分子具有强烈的倾向性吸附作用。经PEG分子修饰后,MWCNTs对纤维蛋白原的吸附程度有所降低。     

Polymer grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes via facile in situ solution radical polymerisation

A facile strategy to graft polymers onto the surfaces of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed via the free radical addition process in the solution radical polymerisation of styrene in presence of the MWCNTs without any pretreatment so that the length of the original MWCNTs remained unchanged. The polystyrene grafted MWCNTs were characterised with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The effect of the amount of the initiator added and of the polymerising temperature on the percentage of grafting (PG%) and conversion of monomer (C%) were calculated from the TGA results. It was found that the maximum PG% of 15.6% was achieved with 0.5% initiator added and the higher polymerising temperature favoured the grafting polymerisation. The proposed method is expected to be extended to other vinyl monomers and offers another diverse way for the sidewall functionalisation of MWCNT.     

Removal of chromium from aqueous solution by using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The batch removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solution by using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied under ambient conditions. The effect of pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI), MWCNT content, contact time and ionic strength on the removal of Cr(VI) was also investigated. The removal was favored at low pH with maximum removal at pH <2. The adsorption kinetics was modeled by first-order reversible kinetics, pseudo-first-order kinetics, pseudo-second-order kinetics, and intraparticle diffusion models, respectively. The rate constants for all these kinetic models were calculated, and the results indicate that pseudo-second-order kinetics model was well suitable to model the kinetic adsorption of Cr(VI). The removal of chromium mainly depends on the occurrence of redox reaction of adsorbed Cr(VI) on the surface of oxidized MWCNTs to the formation of Cr(III), and subsequent the sorption of Cr(III) on MWCNTs appears as the leading mechanism for chromium uptake to MWCNTs. The presence of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on oxidized MWCNTs was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. The application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are applied to fit the adsorption data of Cr(VI). Equilibrium data were well described by the typical Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Overall, the study demonstrated that MWCNTs can effectively remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution under a wide range of experimental conditions, without significant Cr(III) release.     

High-density assembly of gold nanoparticles to multiwalled carbon nanotubes using ionic liquid as interlinker

Gold nanoparticles were deposited onto the surface of carbon nanotubes through an interlinker of ionic liquid terminated with hydroxyethyl units at one end and exchangeable chloride counterions at the other end. The morphology, structure, and composition of the resulting hybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A very high density of gold nanoparticles was homogeneously dispersed and well-separated from one another on the modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The optical absorption of the products was observed by UV-visible spectroscopy. The results imply that the obtained carbon nanotube-gold nanocomposites have a good application potential in catalysis, sensor, and fuel cells.     

电场诱导多壁碳纳米管有序排列对多壁碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料性能的影响

采用交流（AC）电场诱导法制备了多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）均匀分散且定向有序排列的MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料。采用SEM、偏振拉曼光谱等研究了电场强度、MWCNTs含量、加电时间及温度（黏度）等因素对MWCNTs定向排列的影响,讨论了MWCNTs有序排列对MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料电学和力学性能的影响。结果表明：MWCNTs沿电场方向有序排列;MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料施加AC电场后的拉曼强度明显高于未施加电场的情况;当MWCNTs含量从0wt%增加到0.025wt%时,MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料导电率从2.3×10^-12 S/cm增加到1.3×10^-8 S/cm,增加了约4个数量级;MWCNTs含量为2.5wt%时,MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料拉伸强度提高了26.3%。     

Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were employed as sorbent to study the sorption characteristic of Pb(II) from aqueous solution as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, and oxidized MWCNTs' contents under ambient conditions using batch technique. The results indicate that sorption of Pb(II) on oxidized MWCNTs is strongly dependent on pH values, and independent of ionic strength and the type of foreign ions. The removal of Pb(II) to oxidized MWCNTs is rather quickly and the kinetic sorption can be described by a pseudo-second-order model very well. Sorption of Pb(II) is mainly dominated by surface complexation rather than ion exchange. The efficient removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution is limited at pH 7-10. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is performed to study the sorption mechanism at a molecular level and thereby to identify the species of the sorption processes. The 3-D relationship of pH, Ceq and q indicates that all the data of Ceq-q lie in a straight line with slope -V/m and intercept C0V/m for the same initial concentration of Pb(II) and same content of oxidized MWCNTs of each experimental data.     

Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes for pressure, tactile and vibration sensing

We report a simple method for the micro-nano integration of flexible, vertically aligned multiwalled CNT arrays sandwiched between a top and bottom carbon layer via a porous alumina (Al(2)O(3)) template approach. The electromechanical properties of the flexible CNT arrays have been investigated under mechanical stress conditions. First experiments show highly sensitive piezoresistive sensors with a resistance decrease of up to ～35% and a spatial resolution of <1?mm. The results indicate that these CNT structures can be utilized for tactile sensing components. They also confirm the feasibility of accessing and utilizing nanoscopic CNT bundles via lithographic processing. The method involves room-temperature processing steps and standard microfabrication techniques.     

Supercritical fluid attachment of palladium nanoparticles on aligned carbon nanotubes

Nanocomposite materials consisting of Pd nanoparticles deposited on aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been fabricated through hydrogen reduction of palladium-beta-diketone precursor in supercritical carbon dioxide. The supercritical fluid processing allowed deposition of high-density Pd nanoparticles (approximately 5-10 nm) on both as-grown (unfunctionalized) and functionalized (using HNO3 oxidation) nanotubes. However, the wet processing for functionalization results in pre-agglomerated, bundle-shaped nanotubes, thus significantly reducing the effective surface area for Pd particle deposition, although the bundling provides more secure, lock-in-place positioning of nanotubes and Pd catalyst particles. The nanotube bundling is substantially mitigated by Pd nanoparticle deposition on the unfunctionalized and geometrically separated nanotubes, which provides much higher catalyst surface area. Such nanocomposite materials utilizing geometrically secured and aligned nanotubes can be useful for providing much enhanced catalytic activities to chemical and electrochemical reactions (e.g., fuel cell reactions), and eliminate the need for tedious catalyst recovery process after the reaction is completed.     

Fabrication and characterisation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated by magnetic Ni nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetic carbon nanotube (CNT) composites have been successfully fabricated by employing a microwave assisted method after sensitisation and activation. The phase structures and morphologies of the composites were characterised in detail by transmission electron microscope and X-ray powder diffraction. The results show that sensitisation and activation are absolutely necessary for a dense layer of magnetic nanoparticles obtained on the surface of CNTs. Magnetic measurements using a vibrating sample magnetometer demonstrate that the prepared composites are ferromagnetic.     

Ballistic conduction in multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The electrical transport in multiwalled carbon nanotubes is shown to be ballistic at room temperature with mean free paths on the order of tens of microns. The measurements are performed both in air and in the transmission electron microscope by contacting the free end of a nanotube pointing out of a fiber to a liquid metal and measuring the dependence of the nanotube resistance between the contacts. For a specific representative nanotube the resistance per unit length is found to be Rt = 31 +/- 61 omega/micron and the contact resistance with the liquid metal, Rc = 165 +/- 55 omega microns, corresponding to a mean free path l = 200 microns. Current-to-voltage characteristics are in accord with the electronic structure. The nanotubes survive high currents (up to 1 mA, i.e., current density on the order of 10(9) A/cm2). In situ electron microscopy shows that a relatively large fraction of the nanotubes do not conduct (even at high bias), consistent with the existence of semiconducting nanotubes. Discrepancies with other measurements are most likely due to damage caused to the outer layer(s) of the nanotubes during processing. The measured mean free path of clean, undamaged arc-produced multiwalled carbon nanotubes is several orders of magnitude greater than that for metals, making this perhaps the most significant property of carbon nanotubes.     

Fabrication of nanoparticles on vertically aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes by e-beam evaporation

A novel composite electrode containing gold/platinum nanoparticles on the vertically aligned multi-wall nanotubes (MWCNTs) by electron beam evaporation (e-beam evaporation) is reported herein. The size of gold/platinum nanoparticles by e-beam evaporation was less than 10 nm, and distributed uniformly on the surface of vertically aligned MWCNTs. This straightforward process can fabricate high specific surface areas of gold/platinum nanoparticles on the MWCNTs, enhance the efficiency of organic fuel decomposition, and advance the sensor precision. In addition, the nanoparticles on the MWCNTs can also facilitate high electron mobility and chemical stability.     

Angle-dependent light emission from aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes under CO(2) laser irradiation

This paper reports the light emission from aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) under continuous wave CO(2) laser (λ = 10.6?μm) irradiation. Results indicate that the light emission is dependent on the angle θ between the laser incident direction and the nanotube axis. The relative intensity of the light emission at certain wavelengths shows a Lorentzian feature when θ varies from 0° to 90°. The Lorentzian fitting curve displays a distinct tendency between shorter (λ<600?nm) and longer wavelength (λ>700?nm). A minimum intensity was observed at θ(m) close to 67° under shorter wavelength, whereas a maximum intensity was shown at θ(m) of about 60° at longer wavelength. These results show the anisotropic property of aligned MWNTs.     

Nylon 610/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites by in situ interfacial polymerization

Nylon 610 (poly(hexamethylenesebacamide)) nanocomposites containing well dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared using an in situ interfacial polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the MWCNT were well embedded and adhered to the nylon 610 matrix. The interfacial interaction of nylon 610/MWCNT on the grafted nylon 610 chains on the MWCNT was enhanced by improving the compatibility with nylon 610. This allowed a homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT in the nylon 610 matrix. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of nylon 610 were greatly improved by incorporating a small amount of MWCNT (0.1 wt.%). Because MWCNT are electrically conducting, the resulting electrical properties of the composites were approximately 5 orders of magnitude higher than pure nylon 610 matrix (from 10^− 17 S/cm to 10^− 12 S/cm). Overall, the results suggest that in situ polymerization is an ideal technique for producing a perfect dispersion of MWCNT in polymeric matrices.     

Field emission characteristics from tapered ZnO nanostructures grown onto vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were grown on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to enhance the field emission characteristics. The shape of ZnO nanostructure was tapered. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image showed the ZnO nanostructures were grown onto CNT surface uniformly. The field electron emission of pristine CNTs and ZnO-coated CNTs were measured. The results showed that ZnO nanostructures grown onto CNTs could improve the field emission characteristics. The ZnO-coated CNTs had a threshold electric field at about 3.1 V/μm at 1.0 mA/cm². The results demonstrated that the ZnO-coated CNT is an ideal field emitter candidate material. The stability of the field emission current was also tested.     

Thermodynamic properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The experimental study of the heat capacity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes has been conducted at a constant pressure and a temperature in the range from 60 to 300 K. The derived temperature dependence of the heat capacity has been shown to differ from that of graphite. The explanation of the fact has been given in terms of the special features of phonon spectra of the above materials. Based on the experimental results and reliable literature data standard values of the basic thermodynamic functions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs reduced energy) have been calculated.     

辣根过氧化物酶在多壁碳纳米管——壳聚糖膜中的电化学和生物传感性质

采用壳聚糖包裹的多壁碳纳米管膜固定辣根过氧化物酶(HaP)于玻碳电极表面,实现了HRP的直接电化学并以此酶膜制备了NO生物传感器.在磷酸缓冲溶液中固定在电极表面的HRP氧化还原式电位为-0.354 V(us.SCE),直接电子转移速率常数为4.24±1.02 s-1.研究结果表明,固定在电极表面的HRP能保持其对一氧化氮还原的生物电催化活性,该传感器在NO浓度为1.0×10-4~1.4×10-3 mol L-1范围内存在线性响应,响应时间小于11 s,NO的检出限为7×10-4 mol L-1.多壁碳纳米管特殊的电学性质和壳聚糖良好的生物相容性性使得构筑的HRP生物传感器呈现了良好的应用前景,尤其适用于痕量NO的检测.     

Physical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), which were prepared by hydrogen arc discharge, were purified by using an infrared radiation heating system. The morphology, structure, vibrational modes and crystalline perfection of purified MWNTs were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, an X-ray diffractometer and a Raman spectrometer. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of individual purified MWNTs was measured using a two-probe method using a micro manipulator system. It turned out that the MWNTs had a high degree of graphitization, an electrical conductivity of about 1.85×10³ S cm⁻¹ along the long axis, and an enormous current density of more than 10⁷ A cm⁻².     

Preparation polystyrene/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites by copolymerization of styrene and styryl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Styryl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (p-MWNTs) were prepared by esterification based on the carboxylate salt of carbon nanotubes and p-chloromethylstyrene in toluene. Then in situ radical copolymerization of p-MWNTs and styrene initiated by 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) was applied to synthesize composites of styryl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and polystyrene (PS) (p-MWNTs/PS). Characterizations carried out by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, UV–vis show that styryl group covalently bond to the surface of MWNTs. The results of UV showed that the solutions of p-MWNTs/PS in chloroform have the hyperchromic effect. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of p-MWNTs/PS composites and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of fracture surface of p-MWNTs/PS composites showed the functionalized nanotubes had a better dispersion than that of the unfunctionalized MWNTs in the matrix. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) suggested that the thermal stability of p-MWNTs/PS composites improved in the presence of MWNTs.