Park H.G., In J., Kim S., Fornasiero F., Holt J.K., Grigoropoulos C.P., Noy A., Bakajin O.
Lawrence Livermore Natioanal Laboratory, US
Keywords: carbon nanotube, membrane, parylene
We present fabrication and characterization of a membrane based on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and parylene. Carbon nanotubes have shown orders of magnitude enhancement in gas and water permeability compared to estimates generated by conventional theories [1, 2]. Large area membranes that exhibits flux enhancement characteristics of carbon nanotubes may provide an economical solution to a variety of technologies including water desalination and gas sequestration [3]. We report a novel method of making carbon nanotube-based, robust membranes with large areas. Vertically aligned dense carbon nanotube array are infiltrated with parylene. Parylene polymer creates a pinhole free transparent film that exhibits high surface conformity and excellent crevice penetration. Using this moisture, chemical & solvent resistant polymer creates carbon nanotube membranes that promise to exhibit high stability and biocompatibility. CNT membranes are formed by releasing of a free-standing film that consists of parylene infiltrated CNT, followed by uncapping of CNTs on both sides of the composite material. Thus fabricated membranes show flexibility and ductility due to the parylene matrix material, as well as high permeability attributed to embedded carbon nanotubes. These membranes have a potential for applications that may require high-flux, flexibility and durability. This work was partially funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and by NSF NIRT grant CBET-0709090. Work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. . [1] Holt, J.K., H.G. Park, Y. Wang, M. Stadermann, A.B. Artyukhin, C.P. Grigoropoulos, A. Noy and O. Bakajin, Fast Mass Transport Through Sub-2-Nanometer Carbon Nanotubes, Science, 312, 1034 (2006) [2] Majumder, M., N. Chopra, R. Andrews, B.J. Hinds, Nature,438 ,44 (2005) [3] Sholl, D.S. and J.K. Johnson, Making High-Flux Membranes with Carbon Nanotubes, Science, 312, 1033 (2006)
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2008: Materials, Fabrication, Particles, and Characterization – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 43 - 46
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8503-7