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Carbon nanotubes are a form of carbon, similar to graphite found in
pencils. They are hollow cylindrical tubes and are 10,000 times
smaller than human hair, but stronger than steel. They are also good
conductors of electricity and heat, and have a very large surface area.
Because of these properties they can sell for up to £680 for just 1g!
Jonathan Acomb and Paul T. Williams
The UK produces more than 2 million tonnes of waste plastic each
year. Instead of throwing this away, by converting it to carbon
nanotubes and hydrogen it:
• Allows production of valuable products like touch screen devices
• Avoids the environmentally damaging use of landfill sites
• Generates money from waste product
• Uses a range of plastics, that are hard to recycle by other means
1. What are carbon nanotubes?
The list is almost endless! They could be used in:
• Touch screen devices like tablets, and phones
• High strength materials like bullet proof vests
• Removing pollution from water
• Hydrogen fuel cells that power cars
• Solar panels
2. What can they be used for?
Hydrogen is a green energy fuel which could
replace unsustainable and polluting fossil fuels.
This is because when it burns it gives off no carbon
dioxide. Many of the car companies are developing
cars that run on hydrogen fuel.
3. Why hydrogen?
5. What are the benefits?
Plastics are heated in N2 atmosphere
A catalyst breaks them down further into carbon and hydrogen.
Carbon grows as carbon nanotubes on the catalyst surface.
Carbon nanotubes + Hydrogen
They break down to form methane and other gases
The research concentrates on producing carbon nanotubes and
hydrogen from waste plastics.
4. What is the research?