A Brief Synopsis of A Brief Synopsis of Nanotubes and Their Nanotubes and Their Proposed FunctionsProposed Functions

By:By:Scott EastmanScott Eastman

OverviewOverview

• What are nanotubes?What are nanotubes?

• How are nanotubes made?How are nanotubes made?

• What can nanotubes be used for?What can nanotubes be used for?

• What is in store for the future of What is in store for the future of NanotubesNanotubes

What are Nanotubes? What are Nanotubes?

• Essentially nanotubes Essentially nanotubes are sheets of graphite are sheets of graphite rolled up into a tuberolled up into a tube

• These tubes are then These tubes are then capped with fullerenescapped with fullerenes

• Simulated model of a Simulated model of a SWNT, the cap consists SWNT, the cap consists of six pentagonal rings, of six pentagonal rings, just like part of a C20 just like part of a C20 molecule, but is slightly molecule, but is slightly deformed. deformed.

Types of NanotubesTypes of Nanotubes

• There are two There are two types of nanotubestypes of nanotubes– Single walled Single walled – Multi walledMulti walled

Geometric Configurations Geometric Configurations of Nanotubesof Nanotubes

• ArmchairArmchair

• ZigzagZigzag

• ChiralChiral

How are Nanotubes MadeHow are Nanotubes Made

• Pyrolyze ferrocene/melamine Pyrolyze ferrocene/melamine mixtures at 1050 mixtures at 1050 ˚C in an Argon ˚C in an Argon atmosphere for CNatmosphere for CN22 Nanotubes Nanotubes

• Vapor growth method reacts Vapor growth method reacts acetylene at over 600 ˚Cacetylene at over 600 ˚C

• Zeolites used as scafolding for Zeolites used as scafolding for nanotubesnanotubes

Recent Method of Making Recent Method of Making Small NanotubesSmall Nanotubes

• One newer method One newer method combines the combines the catalysis method, catalysis method, vapor growth vapor growth method, and method, and zeolite method to zeolite method to produce the produce the smallest nanotubes smallest nanotubes known. (0.426nm)known. (0.426nm)

What Can Nanotubes be Used What Can Nanotubes be Used ForFor

• Catalysts in Ni/Cd Catalysts in Ni/Cd batteries batteries

• Lead/acid batteriesLead/acid batteries

• Hydrogen gas Hydrogen gas storagestorage

Nanotubes in Nanotubes in InstrumentationInstrumentation• Used in AFM instrumentsUsed in AFM instruments

Properties of SWNTs compared to Au, Properties of SWNTs compared to Au, graphite and Cugraphite and Cu

http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/ntproperties/http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/ntproperties/

PropertyProperty SWNTSWNT AuAu CC CuCu

Density (g/cc)Density (g/cc) 1.33 1.33 (10,10) (10,10)

1.34 (17,0)1.34 (17,0)

1.40 (12,6)1.40 (12,6)

19.319.3 2.262.26 8.928.92

Resistivity Resistivity

(( cm) cm)1 x 101 x 10-4-4 2.2 x 102.2 x 10-6-6 1010-8 *-8 * 1.7 x 101.7 x 10-6-6

Young’s Modulus Young’s Modulus (GPa) (GPa) (stress/strain)(stress/strain)

10001000 7878 No No datadata

130130

ThermalThermalConductivityConductivity(W/m/K)(W/m/K)

20002000 320320 140140 400400

What Needs to be Done YetWhat Needs to be Done Yet

• Smaller nanotubes have are expected to be used Smaller nanotubes have are expected to be used in gas storage devices, energy storage devices, in gas storage devices, energy storage devices, and sensor applicationsand sensor applications

• Nanotubes possess the greatest tensile strength Nanotubes possess the greatest tensile strength of any known substanceof any known substance

• Nanotubes have only been grown to a 2.5 cm in Nanotubes have only been grown to a 2.5 cm in length and researchers would like to make them length and researchers would like to make them longerlonger

• Researchers would also like to produce nanotubes Researchers would also like to produce nanotubes with 100% efficiency and to precise specs.with 100% efficiency and to precise specs.

References:References:• Dr. Robin TankeDr. Robin Tanke

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