Facile synthesis of boron nitride coating on carbon nanotubes

Boron nitride (BN) coating on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was synthesized by the direct reaction of NaBH₄ and NH₄Cl in the temperature range of 500–600 °C. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the formation of BN coating. It is revealed that the BN coating follows the shape of CNTS without damaging the surface of CNTs, and the elements B and N distribute homogenously along the whole CNTs without chemical bonds between carbon and BN layers. Besides, the oxidation resistance of the CNTs improved a lot after being coated with BN.     

A novel non-catalytic approach for fabrication of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes

Bamboo-like carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) were synthesized via pyrolysis of PMMA@PDVB core-shell spheres in argon atmosphere at 900 °C without any metallic catalyst. TEM and HRTEM observations show the carbon nanotubes with bamboo-like structure. The content of polymerized divinylbenzene (PDVB) in the core-shell nanostructures plays a very important role for the formation of BCNTs. The possible growth mechanism for BCNTs is proposed.     

Rapid synthesis of a BN/CNT composite particle via spray routes using ferrocene/ethanol as a catalyst/carbon source

Boron nitride (BN)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite particles in submicrometer-sizes were successfully prepared using a spray pyrolysis method. Using an ultrasonic nebulizer, BN nanoparticles, ferrocene (as catalyst), and ethanol (as solvent and carbon source) were sprayed into a tubular furnace (fixed temperature of 800 °C) under an Argon flow of 1 L/min. Ethanol was used as a solvent as well as a carbon source because of its non-polluting nature, low cost, harmless byproducts (e.g. CO), and ease of handling. An aggregated BN particle with the growth of a multiwall-CNT (10 nm in thickness) on the surface could be produced. No BN phase changed because the process was completed in a matter of seconds. The present novel synthesis method could be broadly applied in the fabrication of various composite materials with the growth of CNT on the particle surface using a simple, fast and continuous process.     

Grafting carbon nanotubes onto carbon fiber by use of dendrimers

A novel method is developed for grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto the carbon fiber (CF) surface by use of dendrimers. CF surface is functionalized by an adsorbed dendrimers layer. After an oxidation treatment, CNTs with carboxyl, carbonyl or hydroxyl groups are grafted onto the amino-functionalized CFs via chemical interactions. Homogeneous multi-scale structures with different CNT densities and lengths are gained successfully. Functional groups and morphology of the resulting materials are examined by X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

A chemical method to graft carbon nanotubes onto a carbon fiber

A simple method is developed for grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto a carbon fiber surface. CNT and carbon fiber undergo an oxidation treatment. Oxidation generates oxygen, like carboxyl, carbonyl or hydroxyl groups, or amine groups on nanotubes and carbon fiber surface. Functionalized CNTs are dispersed in a solvent and deposited on carbon fibers. The bonds between CNT and carbon fiber are operated by esterification, anhydridation or amidization of the chemical surface groups. The resulting materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CNTs form a 3D network around the carbon fibers. Likewise, CNT bonding between two fibers is observed.     

Dissolution, characterization and photofunctionalization of carbon nanotubes

A simple method to disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been achieved, which gives two photofunctionalized CNTs, hydrazine nanotubes (h-CNTs) and 1,3,4-oxadiazole nanotubes (o-CNTs). Results from FTIR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and TEM observations showed that the functionalization was successful. The modified nanotubes can dissolve in most of the nonpolar organic solvents and no precipitate was observed in the solution of the nanotubes even after 2 months. The functionalized nanotubes showed photo-electronic properties, which is due to the attachment of the function groups to them as proved by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Both h-CNTs and o-CNTs showed good thermal stability below 300 °C and might be used as functional materials.     

An attempt to prepare carbon nanotubes by carbonizing polyphosphazene nanotubes with high carbon content

Polyphosphazene nanotubes with about 20 nm in inner diameter and 100-200 nm in outer diameter were fabricated easily and then carbonized at 800 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope results showed that the bulk morphology of polyphosphazene nanotubes was retained after carbonization. The carbon content of the carbonized samples reached 93.28%. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum showed that the carbonized samples had low graphitization state. The present method can be used for a mass production of carbon nanotubes.     

The preparation of carbon nanotubes by dc arc discharge using a carbon cathode coated with catalyst

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown using a dc arc discharge process and relevant process parameters were investigated. Unlike the usual process in which a carbon anode is filled with metal catalyst powder, CNTs were prepared using a carbon cathode on which the metal catalyst had been deposited using an electroplating system. Various transition metals were investigated. The results show that multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can both be synthesized using this technique. SWNTs are detected in the soot sample collected around the cathode, whereas the MWNTs are detected mainly in the deposit sample collected from the central area of the cathode. The CNT yield varies depending on the catalyst used and the properties of a good catalyst are discussed.     

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes by the pyrolysis of acetylene with iron nanoparticles prepared using a hydrogen-arc plasma method

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized at different temperatures by the catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene with iron nanoparticles prepared using a hydrogen-arc plasma method. The obtained carbon nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. An iron nanoparticle was always located at the tip of CNFs or CNTs, whose diameter was approximately identical with the diameter of the iron nanoparticle. The structures of the products were closely related to the reaction temperature, and could be changed from fibers to tubes by simply increasing the temperature. CNFs were obtained at the reaction temperature of 550-650 °C. When the reaction temperature was increased to 710-800 °C, CNTs were obtained.     

Catalyst-free synthesis of carbon and boron nitride nanoflakes using RF-magnetron sputtering

Catalyst-free boron nitride (BN) and carbon (C) nanoflakes have been produced by direct radio frequency (RF)-magnetron sputtering on molybdenum and tungsten substrates at or above temperatures of 1000 °C and 800 °C, respectively. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) shows that the films are polycrystalline and contain disordered graphite and hexagonal BN. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals curved or twisted flakes up to several hundred nanometres in length. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirms the nanoflake structure to be turbostratic, which is intermediate between an amorphous phase and the ordered layered phases of hexagonal BN or graphite.     

Scalable preparation of carbon nanotubes by thermal decomposition of phenol with high carbon utilizing rate

Practical application of carbon nanotube would have to be determined by a matter of its economical and large-scale preparation. In this study, phenol was used as carbon resource to fabricate carbon nanotubes with large scale in home-made chemical vapor deposition setup. The as-prepared carbon nanotubes are of multi-walls with bamboo compartments, and of having a limited distribution in diameter of 10-15 nm and length of several decades μm. In particular, in this preparation the carbon transformation rate from the carbon content in used phenol to carbon nanotubes is 75%, much higher than the previous reports. Hence this work would be of significance for the industrial preparation of carbon nanotubes even their practical applications.     

Carbon dioxide as a carbon source for synthesis of carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition

Carbon dioxide was successfully used as carbon source in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over Fe/CaO catalyst. The product was evaluated using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Crooked and branching structures of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) with diameters of around 50 nm were observed on the TEM micrographs. Raman spectrum results show that the nanotubes have small defects, which is in agreement with the results of TEM. The influence of reaction variable such as furnace temperature and types of support media was also studied and the reaction mechanism was then discussed in this paper.     

The growth of carbon nanotubes on large areas of silicon substrate using commercial iron oxide nanoparticles as a catalyst

A new approach to chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using commercial magnetite nanoparticles, avoiding its in situ synthesis, is reported. Commercial magnetite nanoparticles were used as catalyst material to growth multiwalled carbon nanotubes by chemical vapour deposition onto a silicon substrate of several square centimeters in area. It is shown that the application of an alternating electric field during the deposition of catalytical nanoparticles is an effective technique to avoid their agglomeration allowing nanotube growth. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the nanotubes grow perpendicularly to the substrate and formed an aligned nanotubes array. The array density can be controlled by modifying the deposited nanoparticle concentration.     

Solvothermal synthesis of necklace-like carbon nanotube/ceria composites

The necklace-like carbon nanotube (CNT)/ceria composites have been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The composites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the necklace-like nanostructures are a hybrid of face-centered cubic ceria and CNTs, and these beaded ceria particles with a diameter of 80-120 nm are distributed discontinuously along the axis of CNTs. A possible formation mechanism has been suggested to explain the formation of necklace-like CNT/ceria composites, which indicates that this synthesis route is promising and may be extended to fabricate other beaded nanoparticles along CNTs.     

活性碳纳米管的制备及其结构的研究

采用KOH对催化裂解法制备的碳纳米管进行活化处理，以提高碳纳米管的比表面积，并调整孔结构。研究了活化温度和碱用量对活化碳纳米管的收率、比表面积、晶体结构、微观形貌和孔结构的影响。实验结果表明，通过KOH活化能有效地提高碳纳米管的比表面积，调整孔隙结构。随活化温度升高，活化碳纳米管的收率逐渐降低，比表面积和孔容则逐渐提高。通过活化，碳纳米管的内孔得到释放，有大量的微孔、中孔结构形成。增大碱用量时，收率降低，而比表面积和微孔孔容增加，在比值为7：1时比表面积达到最大值。通过研究发现，制备高比表面积碳纳米管的优化工艺条件为：KOH／CNTs的质量比为7：1，活化温度为900℃。此条件下所得碳纳米管的比表面积为360．1m^2／g，比未活化碳纳米管的比表面积(24．5m^2/g）提高了14倍。     

Continuous synthesis of carbon nanotubes using a metal-free catalyst by CVD

This study demonstrates the first example of the use of a metal-free catalyst for the continuous synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In this paper silica nanoparticles produced from the thermal decomposition of PSS-(2-(trans-3,4-Cyclohexanediol)ethyl)-Heptaisobutyl substituted (POSS) were used as catalyst and ethanol was served as both the solvent and the carbon source for nanotube growth. The POSS/ethanol solution was nebulized by an ultrasonic beam. The tiny mists were continuously introduced into the CVD reactor for the growth of CNTs. The morphology and structure of the CNTs have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained CNTs have a multi-walled structure with diameters mainly in the size range from 13 to 16 nm. Detailed investigations on the growth conditions indicate that the growth temperature and POSS concentration are important for achieving high-quality nanotubes, and that the existing of small amount of water in ethanol is effective to remove amorphous carbon species during the formation of CNTs. The mass production of CNTs without any metal contaminant will provide a chance for investing and understanding the intrinsic properties of CNTs and applications particularly in nanoelectronics and biomedicines.     

Fabrication of single-crystalline gallium nitride nanowires by using alginate as template

Hexagonal gallium nitride nanowires were synthesized successfully by solvothermal method with alginate as template. The microstructure, morphologies and compositions of the as-prepared product were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Results suggested that the rod-like nanowires were hexagonal single-crystalline GaN growing along [001] direction. The photoluminescence spectra (PL) of the GaN revealed that the as-synthesized sample possesses excellent optical properties.     

A novel kind of porous carbon nitride using H-magadiite as the template

A novel kind of porous carbon nitride was prepared by pyrolysis of polymerized ethylenediamine using H-magadiite as the template. This material was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, and nitrogen sorption at 77 K. The BET surface area, pore volume and the median pore width are 436 m²/g, 0.69 cm³/g and 0.84 nm, respectively, based on the N₂ sorption. Using glass carbon electrodes modified by this material, an excellent linear determination range (0.05-0.99 μM) with a low detected concentration limit of 6.9 × 10^− 3 μM could be obtained on the determination of differential pulse voltammetries of dopamine in the presence of 400-fold excess of ascorbic acid.     

Electrochemical template synthesis of large-scale uniform copper selenides nanowire arrays

Ordered Cu₃Se₂ nanowire arrays have been prepared by electrochemical template synthesis based on anodic alumina membranes at room temperature. After annealing in argon ambient at 300 °C for 1 h, Cu₂Se nanowire arrays were obtained by structural change. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) results show that single crystal copper selenides nanowires with a high filling rate are dense, smooth, and uniform in large area. The effects of several electrodeposition parameters on high-filling, stoichiometric and single crystal copper selenides were discussed.     

Growth of long aligned carbon nanotubes on amorphous hydrogenated silicon nitride by thermal chemical vapor deposition

Vertically aligned long carbon nanotubes in the range of 80-100 µm have been synthesized on amorphous hydrogenated silicon nitride (a-SiN_x:H) coated silicon substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition of ferrocene and xylene. It is observed that high temperature annealing in oxygen ambient results in formation of crystalline silicon dioxide in the matrix of amorphous silicon nitride due to out diffusion of hydrogen. It is suggested that active sites created on silicon dioxide and a-SiN_x:H clusters provide mechanical support for the alignment of long carbon nanotubes. It is proposed that a thin layer of a-SiN_x:H prevents silicide formation between the catalyst (Fe) and silicon thus lengthening the catalyst life.