Fagan J.
National Institute of Standards and Technology, US
Keywords: carbon nanotube, separation
As-synthesized single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) populations contain substantial distributions of SWCNT structures, including in the distribution of species ((n,m) chiralities) and enantiomers (i.e. the handedness of the lattice vector), as well as in their lengths, modifications to the pristine lattice, and environmental factors such as the endohedral filler. A driving challenge for the field is the scaled separation of these polydisperse materials into homogenous populations to enable optimal application. Multiple technologies and strategies have been developed over the last decade to address this challenge, however total structure control is still a work in progress. In my lab we are demonstrating the power of the aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) method to resolve SWCNTs by their metallic/semiconducting nature, diameter and even their enantiomeric handedness. This technique, which can be readily applied to process bench scale quantities of well specified SWCNTs, and combined with other separation schemes for length and filler specification, holds promise for providing long desired materials for application development. An overview of the separation method and an update on its development and incorporation into a larger strategy of separation will be presented.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Advanced Materials: TechConnect Briefs 2017
Published: May 14, 2017
Pages: 40 - 43
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 978-0-9975117-8-9