Two possible emission mechanisms involved in the arc discharge method of carbon nanotube preparation

By investigating the morphologies and microstructures of the cathode deposits prepared by self-sustained arc discharge between graphite rods, we consider that there are two electron emission mechanisms occurring on the cathode: field emission and thermionic emission. The former occurs mainly on the edge of the growing surface, by which we can explain the formation of the outer hard shell of the cathode deposit; while the latter occurs mainly on the growing surface except for the edge area and it is the main cause for the growth of carbon nanotubes.     

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid onto activated carbon

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of the 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) from aqueous solution onto the activated carbon (GAC, F-400) were studied. Adsorption equilibrium capacities of the MCPA increased with decreasing pH and temperature of the solution. Adsorption equilibrium of the MCPA could be represented by the Sips equation. The internal diffusion coefficients were determined by comparing the experimental concentration decay curves with those predicted from surface diffusion model and pore diffusion model. The adsorption model based on the linear driving force approximation (LDFA) was used for simulating the adsorption behavior of the MCPA in a fixed bed. Over ninety five percent desorption of the MCPA could be obtained using distilled water.     

Synthesis of carbon nanocapsules containing Fe, Ni or Co by arc discharge in aqueous solution

A simple, inexpensive and one-step synthesis method of metal-containing carbon nanocapsules using an arc discharge in aqueous solution is reported. It was found that Ni, Co and Fe nanoparticles could be in situ encapsulated in carbon shells when the arc was performed respectively in aqueous solutions of NiSO₄, CoSO₄ and FeSO₄. Transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron diffraction patterns of selected areas were used to determine the crystalline phase of the metal cores. To explain the formation mechanism of metal-containing carbon nanocapsules, a model of discharge in solution is proposed. This result presents a simply controllable way to synthesize metal-containing carbon nanocapsules.     

Scrolls and nested tubes in multiwall carbon nanotubes

Recent high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) studies of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reveal a class of defects analogous to edge dislocations in a crystal. These defects are believed to mark the transition from scrolls on one side to nested tubes on the other. On the tube side, layer spacing becomes irregular. Analysis of the helicity of the tubes shows a strong correlation between diameter and helicity. This suggests that the organizing principle for the tubes is not Van der Waals forces, as in the case of graphite or turbostratic carbon, but preservation of helicity. Based on these observations and total energy calculations, the authors speculate that graphene monolayers initially form scrolls and subsequently transform into multiwall nanotubes through the progression of defects. Scrolls and nested tubes thus coexist within a single MWNT.     

Aqueous electrochemical intercalation of bromine into graphite fibers

For the first time, graphite fibers have been electrochemically intercalated with Br⁻ that have the same structure and properties as those intercalated from vapor phase Br₂. This was accomplished by intercalating pitch-based Thornel^® K-1100 graphite fibers at low temperature (near 0 °C) and high currents (2 A) for long times (6 h). The mechanism appears to be that Br⁻ is oxidized to aqueous Br₂ which, when sufficient local concentration builds up, intercalates the fiber. This was confirmed by intercalating K-1100 fiber in a saturated aqueous Br₂ solution without passing an electrical current. The applied voltage does apparently lower the activation energy of the reaction as evidenced by the observation that P-120 and P-100 fibers will not intercalate in aqueous Br₂ unless a voltage is applied.     

Evolution of chemistry and morphology during the carbonization and combustion of rice husk

Both fine carbon/silica and pure silica powders can be obtained by carbonization and combustion of rice husk under non-isothermal conditions, and the products can be used for preparation of high-quality ceramic materials. Studies on the morphology, chemical and physical characteristics of products were carried out by N₂-adsorptionmeter, SEM, XRD, FTIR, ICP-MS and EA. Results indicate that decreasing the heating rate increased the specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter. At a heating rate of 5 °C/min, the specific surface areas of both the carbon/silica and pure silica powders were 261 and 235 m²/g, and the average pore diameters were 2.2 and 5.4 nm, respectively. The products obtained from various heating rates were all amorphous. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to study the reaction characteristics during carbonization or combustion, indicating that decomposition process of rice husk could be divided into three temperature zones. This results of the study can also provide the important information on the recovery of biomass material from rice husk.     

Simulation of carbon nanotube based p-n junction diodes

Taking advantage of the unique characteristics of an ambipolar carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET), a ‘p-n junction’ is simulated along the single-walled carbon nanotube channel using two separate gates close to the source and drain of the CNTFET, respectively. The current-voltage characteristics of the double-gated CNTFET are calculated using a semiclassical method based on the Schottky barrier field effect transistor mechanism. The calculation results show a good rectification performance of the p-n junction.     

Important issues in a molecular dynamics simulation for characterising the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes

This paper discusses several important issues in a molecular dynamics simulation for analysing carbon nanotubes and their mechanical properties. In particular, the paper addresses the problems in selecting appropriate inter-atomic potentials, number of thermostat atoms, thermostat techniques, time and displacement steps and number of relaxation steps to reach the dynamic equilibrium. Based on these, the structural changes of armchair and zigzag nanotubes and their mechanical properties are investigated. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the armchair tube are 3.96 and 0.15 TPa, respectively, and those of the zigzag tube are 4.88 and 0.19 TPa, respectively. The best simulation technique identified in this study predicts that the ultimate tensile strain of a carbon nanotube is around 40% before atomic bond breakage.     

THERMAL REGENERATION OF ACTIVATED CARBONS

The thermal regeneration of activated carbons loaded with p-nitrophenol (PNP) and other aromatic compounds was studied using a thermal balance. After pyrolysis of the adsorbates in nitrogen at 700°C, the residues were gasified with oxygen at 415 to 500°C or with steam at 840 to 920°C. Residues from PNP were several times more reactive to oxygen than the base carbons and also showed greater chemisorption of oxygen. For steam gasification, only small differences between spent and fresh carbons were found.