Carbon nanotube patterning with capillary micromolding of catalyst

Patterning of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) chamber has been achieved by catalyst patterning using capillary micromolding process. Iron acetate catalyst nanoparticles were dissolved in ethanol and mold was fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The ethanol solution containing catalyst nanoparticles was filled into the microchannel formed between PDMS mold and Si-wafer by capillary force. The capillary action of different solvents was simulated by commercial CFD-ACE+ simulation code to determine optimal solvents. Simulated result shows that the choice of solvent was critical in this capillary filling process. After the catalyst patterning, MWNT was grown at 700 approximately 800 degrees C by PECVD process using CH4 and Ar gas in a scale of approximately 10 micro-meters in a tubular inductively coupled plasma reactor. Grown CNTs were analyzed by FE-SEM and Raman Spectroscopy.     

Europium-doped yttrium silicate nanophosphors prepared by flame synthesis

Europium-doped yttrium silicate (Y₂SiO₅:Eu³⁺) nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis method. The effect of silicon concentration on the crystal structure and morphology of the Y₂SiO₅:Eu³⁺ phosphors were investigated. As-prepared phosphor consists of spherical nanoparticles with filled morphology, high crystallinity, narrow size distribution, and intense photoluminescence. The crystal structure and photoluminescence intensity of Y₂SiO₅:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors are strongly affected by the ratio of silicon to yttrium in the precursor solution, and the maximum photoluminescence intensity is obtained from particles prepared from the silicon to yttrium ratio of 1.25. A concentration quenching limit is observed at 30 mol% Eu of yttrium. The photoluminescence intensity also increases with the increase of the concentration of precursor solution. This work demonstrates the advantages of flame spray pyrolysis method for the preparation of multi-component nanophosphor, which can be found potential application in lamp and display industries.     

Computational fluid dynamics simulation of laser-ablated carbon plume propagation in varying background gases for single-walled nanotube synthesis

A computational fluid dynamics study was conducted to model the plume resulting from the laser ablation of a carbon target in a laser ablation oven for the production of carbon single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs). The goal is to gain understanding into the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics of the plume to ultimately improve SWNT production techniques. The simulations were carried out with a 12-species, 14-reaction chemistry model that included carbon species from C to C6. Metal catalysts in the carbon target were ignored for these simulations. Simulation times ranged from immediate ablation onset to 8 ms past the initial onset of ablation. A secondary goal of the study was to compare computational results with experimental results for three different background gases in the laser ablation oven-argon, helium, and nitrogen. Computational results indicated that lighter carbon species were more quickly diffused into the background gas for helium and nitrogen, resulting in lower localized mass fractions of carbon nanotube "feedstock." The expectation is that this effect will reduce the production of carbon nanotubes, which has been confirmed by experimental evidence. From this investigation, a possible "indicator species" for the production of SWNT appears to be C5.     

Carbon nanotube synthesis from propane decomposition on a pre-treated Ni overlayer

Growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was performed by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) of propane on Si(111) with a pre-treated Ni overlayer acting as a catalyst. Prior to the growth of CNTs, a thin film of Ni was deposited on Si(111) substrate by evaporation and heat treated at 900°C. The growth of nanotubes was carried out at 850°C using propane as a source of carbon. Distribution of the catalyst particles over the Si substrate was analysed before and after heat treatment by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the grown material revealed that they are graphitic in nature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to investigate the growth process and it was found that a catalytic particle was always situated at the tip of the tube thus implying a tip growth mechanism. Evidence for the presence of radial breathing mode from multi-wall nanotubes (MWNTs) in the grown sample was obtained from micro-Raman analysis. Finally, high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) analysis confirmed that the graphene layers of the CNTs are well ordered with typical 0·34 nm spacing.     

碳纳米管:可控制备决定未来（英文）

在过去几十年中,碳纳米管由于其优异的物理和化学性质而备受关注,被认为是一个强有力的未来明星材料.尽管基于碳纳米管的诸多产品及应用实例相继浮现,但是碳纳米管所呈现出的实际性质与理论值之间依然存在较大差异,无法达到研究者的预期,这源自于目前尚未成熟的控制制备技术.碳纳米管的可控制备技术包括结构的精细控制方法和样品的宏量制备技术,这在很大程度上决定了碳纳米管的未来发展前景.基于此,本文概述了近几十年来研究者们在碳纳米管的精细结构控制、聚合状态设计和样品宏量制备等方面的主要进展,进一步指出了碳纳米管未来的可控制备技术必须与特定化的应用紧密结合,以迎接即将来临的产业化时代.     

Carbon nanotube wiring: a tool for straightforward electrochemical biosensing at magnetic particles

Here, we combine the unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and magnetic particles (MPs) to develop a novel biosensing approach for the specific detection of electroactive labels and targets. The assay is based on label/target capture and concentration using MPs. It follows addition of CNTs, which adsorb onto the surface of the beads. The subsequent magnetic entrapment of the CNT/MP complexes onto an electrode allows straightforward electrochemical sensing of the MP surface by exploiting CNT wiring. As a proof of concept, the assay has been applied to detection of ferrocene labels, and to the specific immunodetection of dopamine in both artificial saline solutions and real sample matrixes. The results demonstrate the applicability of CNT as wiring tools for enzymeless and substrateless electrochemical biosensing.     

Carbon nanotube/chitosan/gold nanoparticles-based glucose biosensor prepared by a layer-by-layer technique

A new amperometric glucose biosensor was constructed, based on the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) with cross-linking in the matrix of chitosan on a glassy carbon electrode, which was modified by layer-by-layer assembled carbon nanotube (CNT)/chitosan (CHIT)/gold nanoparticles (GNp) multilayer films. With the increasing of CNT/CHIT/GNp layers, the response current to H₂O₂ was changed regularly and the response current reached a maximum value when the number of CNT/CHIT/GNp layers was 8. The assembling process of multilayer films was simple to operate. With GOx as an enzyme model, a new glucose biosensor was fabricated. The excellent electocatalytic activity and special structure of the enzyme electrode resulted in good characteristics. The linear range was 6 × 10^? 6 ～ 5 × 10^? 3 M, with a detection limit of 3 × 10^? 6 M estimated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, fast response time (less than 6 s). Moreover, it exhibited good reproducibility and stability.     

Application of fly ash as a catalyst for synthesis of carbon nanotube ribbons

The larger diameter-based carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes and ribbons are currently synthesized by catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons with transition metal-based catalysts e.g., Co, Ni, Fe and Mo at 1100-1200 °C, using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and electric arc methods. We produced CNT ribbons by fly ash (FA) catalyzed pyrolysis of a composite film of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with FA at 500 °C for 10 min under a nitrogen flow of 2 L/min. Different geometrical structures, e.g.; knotted and twisted, U- and spiral-shaped CNT ribbons were observed in the images of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The widths of the CNT ribbons measured varied in the ranges 18-80 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed five types of carbon binding peaks, C-C/C-H (∼77%), C-O-H (∼9%), -C-O-C (∼5%), CO (∼5%) and -O-CO (∼3%). The ratio of intensities of G and D bands, IG/ID was 1.61 analysed by Raman Spectroscopy. CNT ribbons grown on the surface of FA have potential for the fabrication of high-strength composite materials with polymer and metal.     

Carbon nanotube interaction with DNA

We investigate a system consisting of B-DNA and an array of (10,0) carbon nanotubes periodically arranged to fit into the major groove of the DNA. We obtain an accurate electronic structure of the combined system, which reveals that it is semiconducting and that the bands on either end of the gap are derived exclusively from one of the two components. We discuss in detail how this system can be used as either an electronic switch involving transport through both components, or as a device for ultrafast DNA sequencing.     

Morphology of diamonds prepared in a combustion flame

Diamonds were prepared on molybdenum substrates in a C₂H₂-O₂ combustion flame in the ambient atmosphere. The morphology of diamonds obtained were characterized with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Changes in the morphology of the deposits on the substrate can be observed. The differences in the growth rates between {1 0 0} and {1 1 1} planes are discussed from the viewpoint of crystal habits.     

Carbon nanotube synthesis: from large-scale production to atom-by-atom growth

The extraordinary electronic, thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) closely relate to their structure. They can be seen as rolled-up graphene sheets with their electronic properties depending on how this rolling up is achieved. However, this is not the way they actually grow. Various methods are used to produce carbon nanotubes. They all have in common three ingredients: (i) a carbon source, (ii) catalyst nanoparticles and (iii) an energy input. In the case where the carbon source is provided in solid form, one speaks about 'high temperature methods' because they involve the sublimation of graphite which does not occur below 3200?°C. The first CNTs were synthesized by these techniques. For liquid or gaseous phases, the generic term of 'medium or low temperature methods' is used. CNTs are now commonly produced by these latter techniques at temperatures ranging between 350 and 1000?°C, using metal nanoparticles that catalyze the decomposition of the gaseous carbon precursor and make the growth of nanotubes possible. The aim of this review article is to give a general overview of all these methods and an understanding of the CNT growth process.     

Carbon nanotube synthesis over glow discharge-treated Ni/AAO membrane

Glow discharge plasma has been widely used in metal supported catalyst preparation. In this paper, this non-thermal plasma was applied for the fabrication of Ni/AAO membrane. This process, including incipient wetness impregnation, drying, plasma treatment and calcinations, is similar with the preparation of supported catalyst. XPS analysis of Ni/AAO membrane indicated the enrichment of nickel element in membrane nanopores during plasma treatment. As-prepared AAO membrane was used in the synthesis of carbon nanotube arrays by corona discharge enhanced chemical vapor deposition. They were much different in morphology with that from conventional Ni/AAO membrane without glow discharge treatment. In addition, the NiO nanoparticles were highly dispersed in nanotube walls.     

Efficient synthesis of individual single-walled carbon nanotube by water-based catalyst with poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

Individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized on the patterned water-soluble catalyst by thermal chemical vapor deposition. The individual SWCNTs were obtained by introducing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant. The number of SWCNTs between two electrodes were approximately 1-2 with an average diameter of about 1.7 nm and a yield of forming electrodes of nearly 70%. The PVP played an important role in dispersing catalysts and suppressing the active sites to limit the number of SWCNTs during synthesis, which is a critical condition for fabrication of field effect transistors (FETs). The measured I-V characteristics of the over layer-deposited electrodes revealed a clear gating effect in large portion, in good agreement with Raman observations in several excitation energies. The patterning procedure, catalyst preparation, and growth condition for fabrication of the SWCNT-FET were further discussed.     

Direct synthesis of strontium titanate phosphor particles with high luminescence by flame spray pyrolysis

SrTiO₃:Pr, Al phosphor particles with high luminescence intensities were directly prepared by flame spray pyrolysis without post-treatment. They had better crystallinity than those prepared by general spray pyrolysis with post-treatment and solid-state reaction methods. In addition, they had complete spherical shape and narrow size distribution. On the other hand, the particles prepared by general spray pyrolysis had irregular shape, and poorer brightness than those prepared by solid-state reaction method, while the particles prepared by flame spray pyrolysis had comparable photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence intensities with those of particles prepared by solid-state reaction method. The photoluminescence intensity of SrTiO₃:Pr, Al particles prepared by flame spray pyrolysis was as much as 4.7 times higher than that of particles prepared by general spray pyrolysis.     

Carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite nanofibers: facile synthesis and chemosensors

An initiator is applied to synthesize single-walled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite nanofibers for use as high-performance chemosensors. The composite nanofibers possess widely tunable conductivities (10(-4) to 10(2) S/cm) with up to 5.0 wt % single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) loadings. Chemosensors fabricated from the composite nanofibers synthesized with a 1.0 wt % SWCNT loading respond much more rapidly to low concentrations (100 ppb) of HCl and NH(3) vapors compared to polyaniline nanofibers alone (120 s vs 1000 s). These nanofibrillar SWCNT/polyaniline composite nanostructures are promising materials for use as low-cost disposable sensors and as electrodes due to their widely tunable conductivities.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotube films by thermal CVD in the presence of supported catalyst particles. Part II: the nanotube film

Carbon nanotube films have been grown at 750° and 900 °C by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with acetylene (C₂H₂) and hydrogen on silicon (0 0 2) wafers supporting preformed (Fe,Si)₃O₄ particles. The reduction of the (Fe,Si)₃O₄ particles during CVD at 750 °C was accompanied by a disintegration leading to the formation of a high density of smaller (predominantly 5–15 nm) iron silicide (₁-Fe₂Si) particles that catalyzed the growth of a dense and aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube film. The tubes did not contain any inclusions apart from the catalytic particles present in the bottom part of the film, and it was concluded that the nanotubes grew via a base-growth mechanism. CVD at 900 °C resulted in a random growth of predominantly multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The film contained an increased number of amorphous carbon, or graphite, clusters containing particles that had been carbonized, the larger ones to cementite, -Fe₃C. Nanotubes were observed to grow from some of these clusters. Multi-wall carbon nanotube tips contained after CVD at 900 °C encapsulated -Fe₃C, or in a few cases - or -Fe, particles.     

Morphology and phase changes in laser-ablated TiO2 particles during thermal annealing

A method for obtaining titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles by laser ablation has been developed. Pulsed laser irradiation at an intensity of 10⁹ W/m² leads to sputtering of titanium dioxide in the form of particles with dimensions within 10?C50 nm. The phase composition and morphology of obtained nanoparticles have been studied by the methods of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thermal annealing above 600°C leads to an increase in the average particle size and induces the structural transition of titanium dioxide from anatase to rutile modification. Quantitative dependences of the particle size and phase composition on the annealing temperature are established. It is established that, using the laser ablation method, it is possible to obtain the anatase phase of TiO₂ with increased thermal stability.     

Carbon nanotube composite films with switchable transparency

A composite film with switchable transparency is fabricated by sandwiching a carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet within polyurethane (PU) films. The introduction of CNTs not only makes the composite film electrically conductive but also induces a rapid crystal melting of soft segments in the PU. As a result, the film can be switched from opaque to transparent in just several seconds after turning on voltage, and reversed back to opaque after turning off voltage. The film also possesses several other attractive properties, including excellent flexibility, low energy consumption, switching speed insensitivity to ambient temperature, and easy coloration, which make the film promising for a wide variety of practical applications.