Acidified multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polyaniline composites with high negative permittivity

Acidified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) have been synthesized using mixed acid acidification, and then acidified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH)/polyaniline (PANI) composites with negative permittivity have been successfully synthesized by in situ polymerization. At the same time, the effects of composition and structure on the permittivity of MWCNTs-COOH/PANI composites have been systematically studied. The effects of MWCNTs-COOH content on the generation and variation of negative permittivity are illuminated by the structure model of “nano wires”. XRD analysis indicates that MWCNTs-COOH becomes the crystal nucleus and affects the crystallinity of the MWCNTs-COOH/PANI composites. SEM results indicate that different contents of MWCNTs-COOH cause various dispersion states of MWCNTs-COOH, thus lead to different morphologies of MWCNTs-COOH/PANI composites and variation of permittivity.     

High-resolution electron microscopy of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in the subcutaneous tissue of rats

The atomic structure of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats was examined by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Clusters of the MWCNTs implanted in the subcutaneous tissue were well recognized by the TEM observations. It was indicated that some nanotubes were taken in phagocytes after the 1-year implantation. The deterioration of crystalline structure of the nanotubes in phagocytes was shown by the HRTEM observation. It was suggested that the deterioration of the nanotubes was due to the peeling of the outer graphene layers in the phagocytes.     

Ni/MgO催化剂下碳纳米管的生长特性

采用射频等离子体增强化学气相沉积法(RF-PECVD),以Ni/MgO为催化剂,在Si基片上生长了碳纳米管,采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、Raman光谱以及高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)等对不同的MgO含量下制备的碳纳米管形貌及结构进行了表征。结果表明,随着MgO含量的增加,从碳纳米洋葱转化为碳纳米管,其直径逐渐变小、均匀,碳纳米管纯度提高,结晶性能越好;碳纳米管顶端形成开口或闭口的碳洋葱纳米结构,而管的主干区域则存在催化剂,并且随着MgO含量的增加,呈现纳米颗粒转化为纳米线的趋势;MgO含量为50%时,部分碳纳米管的外壁剥离,形成了单原子石墨层,长度达到7nm,并在碳纳米管内部填充了Ni纳米线,其长度有60nm。     

硅基底表面上多种形态碳纳米管的生长

以Fe/Ru双金属纳米颗粒为催化剂,在含有一层自然氧化层的硅基底上制备单分散碳纳米管,并用原子力显微镜进行表征。实验结果表明在同一基底上碳纳米管具有多种形态,如环形、树枝状分叉形、锥形,单根和成束等。这种多种形态碳纳米管的出现,为更进一步了解碳纳米管的生长机制以及对控制碳纳米管制备有着重要意义。     

CNT-WO3气敏材料的显微分析

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备三氧化钨(WO3)纳米粉体,然后在WO3粉体中添加碳纳米管(CNT),经热处理形成CNT-WO3气敏材料.用SEM观察CNT的分布形态和CNT-WO3材料的显微结构,研究超声振荡对CNT的分散效果,测量了CNT-WO3材料的气敏性能.结果表明,100 W功率下超声振荡使原先团聚严重的CNT得到分散,...     

Multiscale modeling with carbon nanotubes

Technologically important nanomaterials come in all shapes and sizes. They can range from small molecules to complex composites and mixtures. Depending upon the spatial dimensions of the system and properties under investigation computer modeling of such materials can range from equilibrium and non-equilibrium quantum mechanics, to force-field-based molecular mechanics and kinetic Monte Carlo, mesoscale simulation of evolving morphology, and finite-element computation of physical properties. This brief review illustrates some of the above modeling techniques through a number of recent applications with carbon nanotubes: nano electromechanical sensors (NEMS), chemical sensors, metal-nanotube contacts, and polymer-nanotube composites.     

利用化学气相沉积法在SiO2小球基底上制备纳米碳管的研究

利用匀胶机将经过超声混合的二氧化硅小球的酒精溶液旋涂在洗净的硅片上,获得了具有曲面的纳米碳管生长基底.利用以二茂铁和二甲苯作为反应前驱体的化学气相沉积法在该基底上实现了碳管在二氧化硅与硅之间的选择性生长,并在不同的沉积温度条件下,可以分别获得球状和束状碳管产物.通过扫描电镜观察分析经过退火处理的原始基底的表面形貌,讨论了碳管产物与反应温度之间的关系.     

Template free titiania photoanodes modified with carbon black or multi-wall carbon nanotubes: Thermal treatment at low and high temperature for the fabrication of quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells

A simple procedure was developed to prepare modified titiania (TiO₂) photoanodes for dye sensitized solar cells at low and high temperature in order to improve overall cell efficiency. Modification of TiO₂ films achieved by the incorporation of either carbon black powder (CBP) or multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A small quantity of titanium alkoxide was added in a dispersion of titiania (TiO₂) powder consisting of nanoparticles at room temperature, which after alkoxide׳s hydrolysis helps to the connection between titiania (TiO₂) particles and to the formation of mechanically stable relatively thick films on conductive glass substrates. The absence of surfactant allowed us to prepare films at relatively low temperature (~100 °C), while the effect of sintering at a higher temperature (500 °C) was also studied. The structural properties of the films were examined with porosimetry method and microscopy analysis. Better electrical results were obtained for the MWCNT (0.1 wt%) modified TiO₂ films, with 3.14% and 4.68% conversion efficiencies under 1 sun illumination after treatment at 100 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The enhancement in photocurrent for MWCNT-TiO₂ films compared to pure TiO₂ films is attributed to the improved interconnectivity between TiO₂ nanoparticles, which further improved the electron transport through the film. For carbon doped CBP-TiO₂ cells, lower efficiencies were observed compared to pure TiO₂.     

Alloying carbon nanotubes

The interaction between carbon nanotubes and alloying impurities was analyzed and the thermodynamics of controlling the properties of carbon nanotubes was developed. The analysis of the experimental and theoretical data showed that the free energy of the gas mixture in the reactor and the temperature of the reactants play a dominant role in alloying and adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters of alloying carbon nanotubes with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and boron impurities were calculated.     

Lead-free solder reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In this study, varying weight percentages of multiwalled carbon nanotubes were successfully incorporated into 95.8Sn-3.5Ag-0.7Cu solder to synthesize novel lead-free composite solders. The composite solders were synthesized using a powder metallurgy route consisting of blending, compaction, sintering, and extrusion. The extruded materials were then characterized for their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. With the addition of increasing weight percentage of carbon nanotubes, the composite solders experienced a corresponding decrease in density values and an improvement in wetting properties. The melting temperatures of the composite solders were found to be unchanged with additions of carbon nanotubes. However, improvements in the mechanical properties, in terms of microhardness and tensile properties, were observed with increasing weight percentages of carbon nanotubes.     

Photosensitive magnetism of radicals coupled with carbon nanotubes

The magnetic coupling of spin-bearing moieties is a recurrent problem of molecular magnetism. We present electron spin resonance results showing that carbon nanotubes could serve this purpose. Moreover, the association of nitroxide radicals (TEMPO) with carbon nanotubes, either covalently or non-covalently, yields a material with slightly photosensitive magnetism. Wrapping a conjugated polymer (PmPV)¹ around the nanotubes increases the observed effect.     

Direct soft UV-NIL with resist incorporating carbon nanotubes

As a potential candidate for the next generation of nanolithography, nanoimprint lithography (NIL) has drawn ever-increasing worldwide attention. It involves physical contact to overcome the optical limits occurring in sub-100 nm photolithography. Affordable tool cost is one of major attractive points of NIL. This work proposes the idea of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the resin used for ultraviolet nanoimprinting (UV-NIL). CNTs can make the resin electrically conductive when mixed with it. Patterns imprinted in the CNT-mixed resist can then be used to replace conductive metal structures directly. This enhances the productivity of basic UV-NIL where the imprinted patterns are used as sacrificial etch masks. In this work, several types of CNTs were purified chemically and dispersed before being mixed with UV-NIL resin using ultrasonic vibration. On drops of CNT-mixed resin, soft UV-NIL was performed using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp with a minimum feature size in the range of 200 nm. Even with increased resin viscosity due to the addition of CNTs, UV imprinting down to 200 nm was successfully done with moderate pattern fidelity. The loading rate of nanotubes should be minimized to prevent the increased viscosity from degrading the pattern transfer resolution. The electrical conductivity of CNT-mixed resist increases with the loading of CNTs. Therefore, the trade-off between the electrical properties and pattern transfer resolution needs to be optimized carefully.     

Microstructure of metal-filled carbon nanotubes

Catalysts are usually required to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and play important roles during the growth process. Any catalysts that remain after processing are expected to add extra properties and removal of the catalysts is usually required to achieve the original properties of CNTs. Recently, CNTs have been filled incidentally by catalysts, such as Pb, Sn, Ni and Bi. This has led to success in obtaining additional properties and a few models have been proposed to describe the encapsulating mechanisms. In the present study, CNTs were filled with palladium by a microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. Detailed structural and compositional investigations of these metal-filled CNTs were carried out by transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the growth mechanisms.     

Assembly of nanodevices with carbon nanotubes through nanorobotic manipulations

Properties and potential applications of carbon nanotubes are summarized by emphasizing the aspects of nanoelectronics and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). The main technologies for the assembly of nanodevices through nanomanipulations with scanning probe microscopes and nanorobotic manipulators are overviewed, focusing on that of nanotubes. Key techniques for nanoassembly include the preparation of nano building blocks and property characterization of them, the positioning of the building blocks with nanometer-scale resolution, and the connection of them. Nanorobotic manipulations, which are characterized by multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) with both position and orientation control, independently actuated multiprobes, and a real-time observation system, are one of the most promising technologies for assembling complex nanodevices in three-dimensional space. With a nano laboratory, a prototype nanomanufacturing system based on a 16-DOF nanorobotic manipulation system, the assembly of nanodevices with multiwalled carbon nanotubes are presented. Nanotube-based building blocks are prepared by directly picking up, in situ property characterization, destructive fabrication, and shape modifications. Kinds of nanotube junctions, the fundamental elements for both nanoelectronics and NEMS, are constructed by positioning the building blocks together under the real-time observation with a field-emission scanning electron microscope, connecting them with naturally existing van der Waals forces, electron-beam-induced deposition, or mechanochemical bonding.     

Growing carbon nanotubes on graphite

The processing and the resulting microstructures of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on graphite nanosheets (GNSs) is examined. The GNSs have a planar shape and are 20-50-nm in thickness. The GNSs were made by the intercalation and exfoliation of natural graphite flakes. Nickel particles serving as the catalyst were distributed on the GNSs. A chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method was used to grow CNTs. Both methane and acetylene were used as the hydrocarbon gases, and the reaction temperatures studied were 700 and 900-C. The distribution of the nickel particles was found critical for the growth of the resulting nano-carbon filaments. Both CNTs and carbon nanofibres (CNFs) were obtained. The nanocarbon filaments vary widely in density, shape and microstructures, dependent on the processing conditions. The microstructure of the joint between the CNT and GNS has been observed by electron microscopy.     

Supertubes [carbon nanotubes]

This paper discusses the different characteristics of carbon nanotubes which make them ideal for a number of potential applications ranging from ultrathin, breathable, waterproof fabrics to bright, rugged flat-panel displays for televisions and computer monitors. Carbon nanotubes can be far stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum and more conductive than copper. The electrical properties of carbon nanotubes are so attractive that researchers are already eyeing them as replacements for silicon circuits and are being considered as a most promising technology that may someday pick up where conventional CMOS devices lead off. As the dimensions of silicon CMOS transistors continue to shrink well into the next decade, problems resulting from increasing power dissipation, leakage currents, and variations in device parameters will continue to rise. If all goes well, carbon nanotube electronics will be poised to take over before the problems encountered by the continual downscaling of silicon CMOS dimensions become insurmountable.     

Thermoelectric power in carbon nanotubes

The theoretical results for the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric power of graphite and semimetal carbon nanotubes are reported. In the calculations, the cylindrical superatomic range structure of nanotubes is taken into account. The Boltzmann equation and the π-electron model of semimetal carbon nanotubes are used. The basic parameters of the calculation are the concentration of electrons, the Fermi energy, and the energy of the local level associated with the cylindrical structure of carbon nanotubes. The theoretical results are compared with the available experimental data.     

利用碳纳米管制成的柔性有机发光二极管

加拿大蒙特利尔大学开发出制作柔性有机发光二极管（OLED）的工艺方法,使制造出柔性显示屏成为可能,该技术还可用于生产发光服装。     

一种新的测定多壁碳纳米管中无定形碳含量方法的研究

目前,碳纳米管（CNTs）中无定形碳含量的测定方法很多,但由于测试样品方法不完善和样品预处理的方式不同,导致测量结果有较大差别,实验的可重现性也不好。本文对一种新的测定多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）中无定形碳含量的方法进行了研究。该方法基于不同形态碳与CO2反应活性的差异,利用CO2柔性氧化法氧化CNTs,采用热重法（TG）测定CNTs中无定形碳含量。并且,结合拍摄CNTs高分辨电子显微（HRTEM）像,证实通过该方法可使粗品中CNTs相和无定形碳相得以区分,达到了对CNTs中无定形碳进行定量分析的目的。本文也讨论了TG测试过程中的各个影响因素。