Karwa M., Brukh R., Saridara C., Wang Y., Iqbal Z., Mitra S.
New Jersey Inst. of Technology, US
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, chromatography, self-assembly, silicon carbide
Self-assembly techniques as related to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is explored. The first is the self-assembly on the inside wall of stainless steel tubings using C2H4 as the carbon source and the iron nanostructures in the stainless steel as the catalyst during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The self-assembly process resulted in a coating consisting of a layer of CNTs aligned perpendicular to the circumference of the tubes, often with an overcoat of disordered carbonaceous material, which could be selectively oxidized by exposing the CNT layer below to air/O2 at temperatures near 300oC. These tubes were used for applications such as chromatographic separation. The details of such an application is presented here. The other application demonstrates that ceramic materials can be coated on Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) to modify their mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the composites formed. Current procedures show poor interfacial matrix to SWNT adhesion and the ineffective utilization of the unique properties of the nanotubes. Here we report a rapid, low temperature microwave-induced reaction to create a novel nanoscale silicon carbide (SiC)-SWNT composite. The uniqueness of this approach lies in the formation of a ceramic directly on the SWNTs, rather than physical mixing, or the growth of nanotubes in a ceramic matrix. References: 1. “Selective Self-assembly of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Long Steel Tubing for Chemical Separation”. Mahesh Karwa, Zafar Iqbal and Somenath Mitra. J. of Mater. Chem. 16, 2890 – 2895 (2006). 2. “Rapid, low temperature microwave synthesis of novel carbon nanotube- ceramic composite”. Yubing Wang, Zafar Iqbal and Somenath Mitra. 44, 2804-2808, Carbon, (2006).
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 388 - 390
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications
ISBN: 1-4200-6182-8