Carbon nanotube based transparent conductive thin films

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based optically transparent and electrically conductive thin films are fabricated on plastic substrates in this study. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are chemically treated with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid before being dispersed in aqueous surfactant-contained solutions. SWNT thin films are prepared from the stable SWNT solutions using wet coating techniques. The 100 nm thick SWNT thin film exhibits a surface resistivity of 6 kohms/square nanometer with an average transmittance of 88% on the visible light range, which is three times better than the films prepared from the high purity as-received SWNTs.     

Carbon nanotube fibers are compatible with Mammalian cells and neurons

We demonstrate the biocompatibility of carbon nanotube fibers (CNFs) fabricated from single-wall carbon nanotubes. Produced by a particle-coagulation spinning process, CNFs are "hair-like" conductive microwires, which uniquely combine properties of porous nanostructured scaffolds, high-area electrodes, and permeable microfluidic conduits. We report that CNFs are nontoxic and support the attachment, spreading, and growth of mammalian cells and the extension of processes from neurons in vitro. Our findings suggest that CNF may be employed for an electrical interfacing of nerve cells and external devices.     

Metallization of Kevlar fibers with gold

Electrochemical gold plating processes were examined for the metallization of Kevlar yarn. Conventional Sn(2+)/Pd(2+) surface activation coupled with electroless Ni deposition rendered the fibers conductive enough to serve as cathodes for electrochemical plating. The resulting coatings were quantified gravimetrically and characterized via adhesion tests together with XRD, SEM, TEM; the coatings effect on fiber strength was also probed. XRD data showed that metallic Pd formed during surface activation whereas amorphous phases and trace amounts of pure Ni metal were plated via the electroless process. Electrodeposition in a thiosulfate bath was the most efficient Au coating process as compared with the analogous electroless procedure, and with electroplating using a commercial cyanide method. Strongly adhering coatings resulted upon metallization with three consecutive electrodepositions, which produced conductive fibers able to sustain power outputs in the range of 1 W. On the other hand, metallization affected the tensile strength of the fiber and defects present in the metal deposits make questionable the effectiveness of the coatings as protective barriers.     

炭纤维表面生长碳纳米管

采用化学气相沉积工艺在炭纤维表面生长了碳纳米管,并观察了它的微观形貌,且对其影响因素进行了初步研究.结果表明:纤维表面的纵向沟槽可以负载催化剂粒子,是生长碳纳米管的物理基础;催化剂的浓度太高,金属粒子容易团聚长大,所得碳纳米管的管径较大;而催化剂浓度太低,则不能在炭纤维整个表面均匀生长碳纳米管;最佳的催化剂溶液的浓度是0.05mol/L的硝酸钴.比较了铁、钴、镍三种过渡金属催化剂,从形成的碳纳米管的质量来看,钴催化剂最佳.     

Carbon nanotube/graphene nanocomposite as efficient counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

We demonstrated the replacement of the Pt catalyst normally used in the counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by a nanocomposite of dry spun carbon multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) sheets with graphene flakes (Gr-F). The effectiveness of this counter electrode on the reduction of the triiodide in the iodide/triiodide redox (I(-)/I(3)(-)) redox reaction was studied in parallel with the use of the dry spun carbon MWNT sheets alone and graphene flakes used independent of each other. This nanocomposite deposited onto fluorinated tin-oxide-coated glass showed improved catalytic behavior and power conversion efficiency (7.55%) beyond the use of the MWNTs alone (6.62%) or graphene alone (4.65%) for the triiodide reduction reaction in DSSC. We also compare the use of the carbon MWNT/Gr-F composite counter electrode with a DSSC using the standard Pt counter electrode (8.8%). The details of increased performance of graphene/MWNT composite electrodes as studied are discussed in terms of increased catalytic activity permitted by sharp atomic edges that arise from the structure of graphene flakes or the defect sites in the carbon MWNT and increased electrical conductivity between the carbon MWNT bundles by the graphene flakes.     

Carbon nanotube radio

Here we report experimental results for a carbon nanotube (CNT) based amplitude-modulated (AM) demodulator for modulation frequencies up to 100 kHz. Further, the CNT based demodulator was successfully demonstrated in an actual AM radio receiver operating at a carrier frequency of 1 GHz and capable of demodulating high-fidelity audio. The demodulation originates from the nonlinear current-voltage (IDS vs VDS) characteristic of the CNT, which induces rectification of a portion of the applied RF signal. By properly biasing the CNT such that the operating point is centered on the maximum nonlinear portion of the I-V curve, one can maximize the demodulation effect. This represents a simple application of carbon nanotubes and nanotechnology to the wireless realm.     

Carbon nanotube filters

Over the past decade of nanotube research, a variety of organized nanotube architectures have been fabricated using chemical vapour deposition. The idea of using nanotube structures in separation technology has been proposed, but building macroscopic structures that have controlled geometric shapes, density and dimensions for specific applications still remains a challenge. Here we report the fabrication of freestanding monolithic uniform macroscopic hollow cylinders having radially aligned carbon nanotube walls, with diameters and lengths up to several centimetres. These cylindrical membranes are used as filters to demonstrate their utility in two important settings: the elimination of multiple components of heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum-a crucial step in post-distillation of crude oil-with a single-step filtering process, and the filtration of bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli or the nanometre-sized poliovirus ( approximately 25 nm) from water. These macro filters can be cleaned for repeated filtration through ultrasonication and autoclaving. The exceptional thermal and mechanical stability of nanotubes, and the high surface area, ease and cost-effective fabrication of the nanotube membranes may allow them to compete with ceramic- and polymer-based separation membranes used commercially.     

Carbon nanotube electronics

Presents experimental results on single-wall carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) operating at gate and drain voltages below 1V. Taking into account the extremely small diameter of the semiconducting tubes used as active components, electrical characteristics are comparable with state-of-the-art metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). While output as well as subthreshold characteristics resemble those of conventional MOSFETs, we find that CNFET operation is actually controlled by Schottky barriers (SBs) in the source and drain region instead of by the nanotube itself. Due to the small size of the contact region between the electrode and the nanotube, these barriers can be extremely thin, enabling good performance of SB-CNFETs.     

纳米碳管阵列

在概括纳米碳管阵列特异的场发射效应及在场发射器方面应用前景的基础上,介绍了合成纳米碳管阵列的研究历程以及化学气相沉积法在纳米碳管阵列合成方面的重要意义,就当前纳米碳管阵列的快速合成与低温合成两个发展方向进行了概述,并指出等离子体化学气相沉积法能有效地用于纳米碳管阵列的低温合成。     

Carbon based conductive photoresist

A conductive photoresist for photolithographic application was studied here. The negative near-UV sensitive epoxy-based photoresist was used as a polymer matrix and conductive carbon black was used as functional filler. DC electrical resistivity of composite as a function of filler concentration has a well-known S-shape. After UV-exposure the resistivity of the composite decreases for almost five orders of magnitude, mostly at percolation threshold (approx. 0.6 vol.%). This effect can be attributed to the fully cross-linked polymer structure formed during UV-exposure of the composite. The resistivity of prepared samples also depend on the state of dispersion of the functional filler obtained using different dispersing additives. Composites with better dispersed particles have lower resistivities. This effect remained below one order of magnitude and decreased after UV-exposure. The composites with carbon black concentration of up to 1.1 vol.% are suitable for spin-coating and photolithography.     

碳纳米管及其研究进展

本文综述了碳纳米管的发展背景、制备方法、形成机理、性能和应用 ,并对今后碳纳米管研究存在的问题作了扼要的论述     

Thermal stability of graphene and nanotube covalent functionalization

We study kinetic factors governing the diffusion and desorption of covalently grafted phenyl and dichlorocarbene radicals on graphene and carbon nanotubes. Our ab initio calculations of reaction rates show that isolated phenyls can easily desorb and diffuse at room temperature. On the contrary, paired phenyls are expected to remain grafted to the surface up to a few hundred degrees Celsius. In the case of dichlorocarbene, no clustering is observed; at room temperature, the isolated radicals remain covalently attached to small-diameter nanotubes but desorb easily from graphene. Our results on the thermal behavior of side moieties on graphitic surfaces could be used to optimize the tradeoff between reactivity and conductance of nanotubes in the process of covalent functionalization.     

Carbon nanotube photo-thermo-mechanical actuator

Carbon nanotubes show a remarkable tendency for direct (rapid) temperature increase of the order of hundreds of degrees when exposed to near infra-red light. The reason is local confinement of the heat wave in their 1D structure which generates rapid temperature rise. Here we demonstrate that these high temperatures can be exploited to generate large deformation and force output by anchoring the nanotubes to a substrate. We report energy density (i.e., work done per unit mass) of the nanotube actuator as approximately 4268 J/Kg which is significantly larger than piezoceramic (approximately 4.25 J/Kg), magnetostrictive (approximately 21.6 J/Kg), lead-zinc-niobate/lead-titanate single-crystals (approximately 131 J/Kg), polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoro-ethylene copolymers (approximately 160 J/Kg) and shape memory alloys (approximately 1337 J/Kg).     

Carbon nanotube zoom lenses

We show that convergent or divergent zoom lenses with focal length variations up to approximately 100% can be implemented by growing arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on curved templates. Unique lenses, which can change their character from divergent to convergent, can also be implemented in this way. Analogously, variable phase shifters with huge phase variation can be fabricated by growing arrays of CNTs on planar templates.     

Carbon nanotube field emitter

Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), possessing excellent properties as field emitters, are attracting considerable attention as electron emitters of a cold cathode. In this review article, field emission phenomena of carbon nanotubes with various morphologies and surfaces (clean surface or adsorbed molecules on it) revealed by field emission microscopy are first described. Then, the main subject of this article, application of CNTs as electron sources in display devices is reviewed. Other electric devices utilizing CNT-field emitters are also presented.     

芳纶纤维表面化学镀镍的研究

采用化学镀技术,实现了芳纶纤维表面镀镍金属化,利用SEM、EDS和XRD分别对芳纶纤维原始样品、粗化后及施镀后的表面形貌、原始纤维及镀层的成分和物相组成进行了分析比较,并用冷热循环法对镀镍芳纶纤维进行了结合力测试。结果表明:芳纶纤维化学镀镍后呈灰黑色,表面基本均匀光滑。镀层与基体结合力良好,镀层厚度可达0.375μm左右,镀层中镍含量在89.58%以上,且以单质镍为主,镀层晶粒细小,基本为纳米晶。     

Carbon based conductive polymer composites

Composite material has attracted increasingly remarked interest over the last few decades and set it apart in its own class due to its distinct properties. World annual production is over 10 million tonnes and the market has in recent years been growing at 5–10% per annum. Among these materials, one subgroup, conductive polymer composite, has figured out and its importance is increasing in years to come. When used as conductive material, it possesses the merits of light weight, ease of manufacturing and chemical resistance. This review focuses on the electrical properties of carbon based conductive polymer composites. Special emphases are placed on the percolation phenomenon, the factors that affect the percolation threshold as well as related theoretical research work. Then mechanisms of electric conduction and factors influencing conductive properties are addressed.     

镀银导电芳纶纤维的制备及其性能研究

为了制备一种高性能的导电纤维,采用自制金属化试剂（NaH-DMSO）对芳纶纤维进行粗化处理,通过化学镀技术制备镀银导电芳纶纤维。研究了镀液成分及工艺条件对化学镀银的增重率、表面电阻及镀层形貌的影响并得到了最佳工艺参数。经检测,以最佳工艺制备的镀银芳纶纤维的导电性优良,电阻为0．25Ω／cm,且强度损失小（〈5％）,断裂强力为44N。