Semi-continuous production of multiwalled carbon nanotubes using magnetic field assisted arc furnace

A high-temperature arc furnace with an applied external magnetic field has been used to grow carbon nanotubes. The magnetic field was able to spread and stabilize the plasma enabling the use of larger electrodes than could be used successfully with no magnetic field. By having a stable plasma across the entire anode surface, larger amounts of carbon black were able to be transformed into carbon nanotubes. In addition, a multiple-pronged anode was designed. The use of the pronged anode created a semi-continuous process which allowed for the amount of nanotubes produced per run to increase.     

纳米增效肥料在冬小麦上的应用研究

2007年,纳米碳第一次应用到肥料中,显示出明显的增产效果。其中,谷类作物增产幅度为10％～20％;蔬菜作物增产幅度为20％～40％,并且能节肥30％。纳米增效肥料使小麦籽实脂肪含量增加,蛋白质含量减少,该结果如果在油料作物上能普遍显现出来,将对我国非转基因大豆提高油质含量有着重要的意义。     

C－B4C－SiC与Ti组分的原位反应及热压烧结

以炭黑、炭纤维、B     

二氧化碳催化还原成碳的进展

介绍了二氧化碳催化还原成碳的最新研究成果和发展趋势，以及它的基本反应原理和应用，并对这方面的开发研究提出了建议。     

A comparison of reinforcement efficiency of various types of carbon nanotubes in polyacrylonitrile fiber

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite fibers were spun from solutions in dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), using single wall (SWNTs), double wall (DWNTs), multi wall (MWNTs) carbon nanotubes, and vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs). In each case, CNT content was 5 wt% with respect to the polymer. Structure, morphology, and properties of the composite fibers have been characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, tensile tests, dynamic mechanical tests, as well as thermal shrinkage. While all nanotubes contributed to property improvements, maximum increase in modulus (75%) and reduction in thermal shrinkage (up to 50%) was observed in the SWNT containing composites, and the maximum improvement in tensile strength (70%), strain to failure (110%), and work of rupture (230%) was observed in the MWNTs containing composites. PAN orientation is higher in the composite fiber (orientation factor up to 0.62) than in the control PAN fiber (orientation factor 0.52), and the PAN crystallite size in the composite fiber is up to 35% larger than in the control PAN (3.7 nm), while the overall PAN crystallinity diminished slightly. Nanotube orientation in the composite fibers is significantly higher (0.98 for SWNTs, 0.88 for DWNTs, and 0.91 for MWNTs and VGCNFs) than the PAN orientation (0.52-0.62). Improvement in low strain properties (modulus and shrinkage) was attributed to PAN interaction with the nanotube, while the improvement in high strain properties (tensile strength, elongation to break, and work of rupture) at least in part is attributed to the nanotube length. Property improvements have been analyzed in terms of nanotube surface area and orientation.     

The effect of the cobalt loading on the growth of single wall carbon nanotubes by CO disproportionation on Co-MCM-41 catalysts

Highly ordered MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves in which silicon was isomorphously substituted with 0.5-4 wt.% cobalt were synthesized using an alkyl template with a 16 carbon atoms alkyl chain length. These materials were used as catalysts for the synthesis of uniform diameter single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by CO disproportionation (Boudouard reaction). The SWNT synthesis conditions were identical for all Co-MCM-41 samples, and consisted of pre-reduction of the Co-MCM-41 catalyst in hydrogen at 500 °C for 30 min followed by reaction with pure CO at 800 °C and 6 atm for 1 h (conditions previously optimized for 1 wt.% Co-MCM-41). The SWNT grown in the Co-MCM-41 catalysts were characterized by TGA, multi-excitation energy Raman spectroscopy and TEM. The state of the catalyst and the size of the metallic cobalt clusters formed in Co-MCM-41 during the SWNT synthesis were characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The mechanism controlling the diameter distribution of the SWNT produced is related to the size uniformity of the cobalt clusters nucleated in the Co-MCM-41 catalytic template: the SWNT growth selectivity and size uniformity is influenced by the cobalt concentration in the framework. If the cobalt is not initially strongly stabilized in the MCM-41 framework during template synthesis, the catalyst produces SWNT with a wider diameter distribution. Co-MCM-41 catalysts with up to 3 wt.% cobalt can be used to grow SWNT with a diameter distribution similar to that obtained with 1 wt.% Co-MCM-41, but at yields greater by a factor of approximately 2.4.     

Carbon aerogels, cryogels and xerogels: Influence of the drying method on the textural properties of porous carbon materials

Carbon materials with tailored texture can be obtained from drying and pyrolysis of resorcinol-formaldehyde gels. The pore texture of both dried and pyrolyzed material depends on the drying process. Several more or less expensive methods (supercritical drying, freeze-drying, evaporative drying) were tested in order to determine which process is the most suitable for the synthesis of a porous carbon with a definite texture. Supercritical drying leads to the highest pore volume and the widest texture range, but residual surface tensions and shrinkage are not avoided when the pore size is small or when the material density is low; this hampers to fix both the pore volume and the pore size easily. Monoliths are very difficult to obtain by freeze-drying, and the appearance of huge channels due to ice crystal growth at high dilution ratio hinders the fabrication of low density materials. Moreover, gels with small pores do not remain frozen throughout drying, which leads to surface tensions and shrinkage. Although generally replaced by more complicated techniques, evaporative drying is suitable when dense carbons are needed or when the only selection criterion is the pore size: all pore sizes are reachable, but this parameter is in this case strongly correlated to the pore volume.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes and nanofibers grafted with polyetherketones in mild and viscous polymeric acid

Direct covalent attachment of amorphous and semicrystalline polyetherketones onto the surface of either an as-received multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) or a vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) in polyphosphoric acid (PPA) with optimized P₂O₅ content resulted in uniform grafting of polyetherketones to these carbon nanoscale materials. Soxhlet extraction experiment, the spectra from FT-IR spectroscopy and the clear images from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the covalent attachment is effective in uniformly coating the PEK grafts on the surfaces of both MWNT and VGCNF. Additionally, a drastic increase in solution viscosity due to the formation of giant molecules was monitored during polymerization. As such, the resulting nanocomposites were easily fabricated via a simple compression molding technique. The alignment possibility of MWNT and VGCNF grafted with semicrystalline PEK in these thermoplastic nanocomposites via solution fiber spinning was also demonstrated.     

Stabilization and carbonization of gel spun polyacrylonitrile/single wall carbon nanotube composite fibers

Gel spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and PAN/single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) composite fibers have been stabilized in air and subsequently carbonized in argon at 1100 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy suggests that the presence of single wall carbon nanotube affects PAN stabilization. Carbonized PAN/SWNT fibers exhibited 10-30 nm diameter fibrils embedded in brittle carbon matrix, while the control PAN carbonized under the same conditions exhibited brittle fracture with no fibrils. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy suggest the existence of well developed graphitic regions in carbonized PAN/SWNT and mostly disordered carbon in carbonized PAN. Tensile modulus and strength of the carbonized fibers were as high as 250 N/tex and 1.8 N/tex for the composite fibers and 168 N/tex and 1.1 N/tex for the control PAN based carbon fibers, respectively. The addition of 1 wt% carbon nanotubes enhanced the carbon fiber modulus by 49% and strength by 64%.     

日本东丽公司及其碳纤维事业

碳纤维是日本东丽公司新事业产品中的一个重要组成部分。本文对东丽公司在碳纤维方面的研究、生产和开发作了系统的介绍。     

Effectiveness of carbon microcoils as a reinforcing material for a polymer matrix

Spring-shaped carbon microcoils (CMCs) were embedded in epoxy resins to form CMC/epoxy resin composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were examined and compared with those of conventional straight carbon fiber (CF) /epoxy resin composites. CMCs were found to be more effective than CFs as a reinforcing material for the epoxy resin having a low Young’s modulus (0.54 MPa). SEM images of the fractured cross-sections of the composite revealed that CMCs were not pulled out from the resin matrix but fractured with the matrix. This could be ascribed to the unique conformations of CMCs.     

Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube-polymer composites

The superlative mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes make them the filler material of choice for composite reinforcement. In this paper we review the progress to date in the field of mechanical reinforcement of polymers using nanotubes. Initially, the basics of fibre reinforced composites are introduced and the prerequisites for successful reinforcement discussed. The effectiveness of different processing methods is compared and the state of the art demonstrated. In addition we discuss the levels of reinforcement that have actually been achieved. While the focus will be on enhancement of Young’s modulus we will also discuss enhancement of strength and toughness. Finally we compare and tabulate these results. This leads to a discussion of the most promising processing methods for mechanical reinforcement and the outlook for the future.     

Tensile properties of ultrathin double-walled carbon nanotube membranes

Direct tensile tests of double walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) membranes with thickness of 40–80 nm were performed using a micro-stress-strain puller. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus are 4.8E2–8.4E2 MPa and 4.4–8.8 GPa, respectively. The deformation and fracture processes were analyzed using the stress vs. strain curves, and SEM observations of the fracture surface of a membrane. The membrane experienced elastic strain and plastic strain during tensile-loading to fracture, and the plastic process is due to the real plastic deformation of the membrane and the slippage between the DWCNT bundles. Cracks occur and spread during the tensile test which causes the membrane to be mangled. With these excellent mechanical properties, the DWCNT membranes can be used in nanotube-reinforced composites.     

炭纤维增强炭基复合材料的界面

炭纤维增强炭基（炭／炭）复合材料中的界面直接影响材料的力学、热物理、抗氧化等性能。深入对炭／炭界面的研究,对于改进材料结构,提高材料性能意义重大。因此对炭／炭复合材料界面研究的意义、方法、现状作了介绍,并展望了研究的发展趋向。     

Modification of carbon membranes and preparation of carbon-zeolite composite membranes with zeolite growth

A novel method for the modification of carbon membranes was developed by zeolite growth on the surface of porous carbon tubes using a hydrothermal synthesis method and carbon-zeolite composite membranes were successfully obtained. Zeolite seeds for the zeolite growth were introduced to the inner surface of the tubes by using a slip-casting technique in 1 wt.% seed ethanol solution and continuous and highly intergrown zeolite layers on the seeded tubes were formed by subsequent hydrothermal synthesis. Different types of zeolite layers can be grown on porous carbon tubes by using different types of zeolite seeds. Without zeolite seeds, a zeolite layer could not be formed on the carbon surface. SEM, XRD and pure gas permeation characterization indicates that the carbon-zeolite membranes are continuous and defect-free.     

Oxidative stabilization of PAN/SWNT composite fiber

PAN/SWNT composite fibers have been spun with 0, 5, and 10 wt% single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Tensile fracture surfaces of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers exhibited extensive fibrillation, while for PAN/SWNT composite fibers, tendency to fibrillate decreased with increasing SWNT content. The reinforcing effect of SWNTs on the oxidized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber has been studied. At 10 wt% SWNTs, breaking strength, modulus, and strain to failure of the oxidized composite fiber increased by 100%, 160%, and 115%, respectively. Tensile fracture surfaces of thermally stabilized PAN and the PAN/SWNT fibers exhibited brittle behavior and well distributed SWNT ropes covered with the oxidized matrix can be observed in the tensile fracture surfaces of the fibers. No de-bonding has been observed between unoxidized or the oxidized PAN matrix and the nanotube ropes. Higher strain to failure of the oxidized composite fiber as compared to that of the oxidized control PAN fiber also suggests good adhesion/interaction between SWNT and the oxidized matrix. Thermal stresses generated on the composite fiber during the oxidation process were lower than those for the control fiber. The potential of PAN/SWNT composite fiber as the precursor material for the carbon fiber has been discussed.