Fabrication and electrochemical properties of free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube film electrodes

An easily manipulative approach was presented to fabricate electrodes using free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films grown directly by chemical vapor deposition.Electrochemical properties of the electrodes were investigated.In comparison with the post-deposited SWCNT papers,the directly grown SWCNT film electrodes manifested enhanced electrochemical properties and sensitivity of sensors as well as excellent electrocatalytic activities.A transition from macroelectrode to nanoelectrode behaviours was observed with the increase of scan rate.The heat treatment of the SWCNT film electrodes increased the current signals of electrochemical analyser and background current,because the heat-treatment of the SWCNTs in air could create more oxide defects on the walls of the SWCNTs and make the surfaces of SWCNTs more hydrophilic.The excellent electrochemical properties of the directly grown and heat-treated free-standing SWCNT film electrodes show the potentials in biological and electrocatalytic applications.     

Longitudinal,transverse, and torsional vibrations and stabilities of axially moving single-walled carbon nanotubes

Thanks to the brilliant mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), they are suggested as high speed nanoscale vehicles. To date, various aspects of vibrations of SWCNTs have been addressed; however, vibrations and instabilities of moving SWCNTs have not been thoroughly assessed. Herein, vibrational properties of an axially moving SWCNT with simply supported ends are studied using nonlocal Rayleigh beam theory. Employing assumed mode and Galerkin methods, the discrete governing equations pertinent to longitudinal, transverse, and torsional motions of the moving SWCNT are obtained. The resulting eigenvalue equations are then numerically solved. The speeds corresponding to the initiation of the instability within the moving nanostructure are calculated. The roles of the speed of the moving SWCNT, small-scale parameter, and aspect ratio on the characteristics of longitudinal, transverse, and torsional vibrations of axially moving SWCNTs are scrutinized. The obtained results show that the appearance of the small-scale parameter would result in the occurrence of both divergence and flutter instabilities at lower levels of the speed.     

Molecular dynamics study of effects of nickel coating on torsional behavior of single-walled carbon nanotube

The effects of nickel coating on the torsional behaviors of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) subject to torsion motion are investigated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The simulation results show that regardless of chirality, defect or radius, nickel coating can considerably enhance the critical torque of SWCNTs. However, by comparing the critical torsion angle between nickel-coated SWCNTs and corresponding pristine SWCNTs, it is found that nickel coating in small-radius nanotubes does induce a reduction in the critical torsion angle. The results also show that the structural failure of nickel coated imperfect (9,0) SWCNT occurs at an obviously higher critical torque in comparison with uncoated (9,0) SWCNT with a vacancy defect. Furthermore, we also find that the critical torque of a short nickel coated SWCNT is bigger than that of a long one, while the critical torsion angle for a short tube is smaller than that for a long one.     

Theoretical characterization of axial deformation effects on hydrogen storage of Ti decorated armchair (5,5) SWCNT

Theoretical calculations have been performed in the framework of density functional theory to characterize the effect of axial deformation on hydrogen storage of Ti decorated armchair (5,5) SWCNT. The theoretical characterization has been carried out in terms of H₂ adsorption energies that are lying in the desirable energy window (?0.2 to ?0.6?eV) recommended by DOE, as well as a variety of physicochemical properties. A remarkable and significant change in H₂ adsorption energy is observed under the effect of only (1%) axial strain. Axial relaxation leads to H₂ adsorption energies within the recommended energy range for hydrogen storage, in contrast to axial compression. Simultaneous weakening of π and σ interactions, due to the effect of axial relaxation and loss of spatial orbital overlap, is in favor of hydrogen adsorption in the recommended energy range, and dominates the effect of charge transfer from Ti 3d to C 2p of the SWCNT. The calculated pairwise and non pairwise additive components confirm that the role of the SWCNT is not restricted to supporting the metal. Polarizability and hperpolarizabilty calculations as well as spectral analysis characterize the relaxed structure (Z?=?1.02), for which H₂ adsorption energy (?0.34?eV) is in the recommended energy range for hydrogen storage, to be energetically more preferable than the compressed structure (Z?=?0.99). The results offer a way to control and characterize the hydrogenation process of metal functionalized SWCNTs by strain loading.     

Study on the electronic structure and hydrogen adsorption by transition metal decorated single wall carbon nanotubes

The ground state geometry and electronic structure of various 4d transition metal (TM) atom (Y, Zr, Nb and Mo) decorated single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are obtained using density functional theory and the projector augmented wave (PAW) method. We found a systematic change in the adsorption site of the transition metal atom with increasing number of d electrons. We also predicted that Y and Zr decorated SWCNTs are metallic whereas Nb and Mo decorated SWCNTs are semiconducting. From detailed electronic structure and Bader charge analysis we found that the systematic variation of the adsorption site with the number of d electrons is related to the decreasing amount of charge transfer from the TM atom to the SWCNT along the 4d series. We have also studied the hydrogen adsorption capabilities of these decorated SWCNTs to understand the role of transition metal d electrons in binding the hydrogen molecules to the system. We found that metallic SWCNT + TM systems are better hydrogen adsorbers. We showed that the hydrogen adsorption by a TM decorated SWCNT will be maximum when all the adsorptions are physisorption and that the retention of magnetism by the system is crucial for physisorption.     

Theoretical study of hydrogen adsorption in Ti-decorated capped carbon nanotube

We present ab initio study using dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations to investigate the hydrogen interaction with Ti-coated, one end closed, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Our results demonstrate that a single Ti atom binds up to five hydrogen molecules on SWCNT cap top, whereas adsorption of four hydrogen molecules is energetically more favourable. The analyses from adsorption energy profile, highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap and Mulliken charge distribution show contrast in first hydrogen molecule adsorption compared with the rest of four configurations. This is clearly due to the strongly different bonding nature of first hydrogen adsorption among others, between hydrogen molecules and Ti-coated SWCNT. These results not only support our understanding of adsorption nature of hydrogen in Ti-coated SWCNTs but also suggest new directions for smart storage techniques.     

Compressive characteristics of single walled carbon nanotube with water interactions investigated by using molecular dynamics simulation

The elastic properties of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with surrounding water interactions are studied using molecular dynamics simulation technique. The compressive loading characteristic of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a fluidic medium such as water is critical for its role in determining the lifetime and stability of CNT based nano-fluidic devices. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on the effect of geometry, chirality and density of encapsulated water on the elastic properties of SWCNT. Our studies show that defect density and distribution can strongly impact the compressive resistance of SWCNTs in water. Further studies were conducted on capped SWCNTs with varying densities of encapsulated water, which is necessary to understand the strength of CNT as a potential drug carrier. The results obtained from this paper will help determining the potential applications of CNTs in the field of nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) such as nano-biological and nano-fluidic devices.     

Axisymmetric vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes in water

A double shell-Stokes flow model is developed to study the axisymmetric vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) immerged in water. In contrast to macroscopic solid-liquid system, a submerged SWCNT is coupled with surrounding water via the van der Waals interaction. It is shown that this unique feature substantially reduces viscous damping of the axisymmetric radial, longitudinal and torsional vibrations and significantly up-shifts the frequency of the radial vibration of an SWCNT. The study offers a theoretical explanation for the experimental observation and molecular dynamics simulations available in particular cases, and provides an efficient modelling tool and useful guidance for the study of the general dynamic behaviour of SWCNTs in a fluid.     

单壁BN纳米管和碳纳米管物理吸附储氢性能的理论对比研究

采用巨正则蒙特卡罗方法(GCMC)研究了单壁氮化硼纳米管(SWBNNTs)和单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)的物理吸附储氢性能,主要对比研究了纳米管的管径、温度和手性对二者物理吸附储氢量的影响. 研究结果表明：在低温下,SWBNNTs的物理吸附储氢性能优于相应的SWCNTs;但是随着温度的升高,二者的物理吸附储氢性能差别越来越小,在常温下,SWBNNTs不具备有比SWCNTs更强的物理吸附储氢性能,而是和相同条件下的SWCNTs相差不大,只是在高压下的物理吸附储氢量稍稍大于SWCNTs,并给出了合理的理论解释 关键词： 巨正则蒙特卡罗方法(GCMC) 单壁氮化硼纳米管(SWBNNTs) 单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs) 储氢     

Near-Field Optical Identification of Metallic and Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs),due to their outstanding electrical and optical properties,are expected to have extensive applications,such as in transparent conductive fims and ultra-small field-effect transistors(FETs).However,those applications can only be best realized with pure metallic or pure semiconducting SWCNTs.Hence,identifying and separating metallic from semiconducting SWCNTs in as-grown samples are crucial.In addition,knowledge of the type of an SWCNT is also important for further exploring its new properties in fundamental science.Here we report employing scanning near-field optical microscopy(SNOM) as a direct and simple method to identify metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs on SiO_2/Si substrates.Metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs show distinct near-field optical responses because the metallic tubes support plasmons whereas the semiconducting tubes do not.The reliability of this method is verified using FET testing and Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy.Our result demonstrates that the SNOM technique provides a reliable,simple,noninvasive and in situ method to distinguish between metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs.     

Radial collapse and physical mechanism of carbon nanotube with divacancy and 5-8-5 defects

By employing molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the radial collapses and elasticities of different chiral single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) with divacancy, and 5-8-5 defects. It is found that divacancy and 5-8-5 defect can reduce the collapse pressure(Pc) of SWCNT(10, 10) while 5-8-5 defect can greatly increase Pc of SWCNT(17, 0). For example, 5-8-5 defect can make Pc of SWCNT(17, 0) increase by 500%. A model is established to understand the effects of chirality, divacancy, and 5-8-5 defect on radial collapse of SWCNTs. The results are particularly of value for understanding the mechanical behavior of SWCNT with divacancy, and the 5-8-5 defect that may be considered as a filler of high loading composites.     

The mechanical property of single-walled carbon nanotube under combined electromechanical loading

The mechanical properties and failure process of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) under combined electric field and tensile loading are investigated using the semi-empirical quantum mechanical method. The local and global structural deformation and variation of mechanical properties of SWCNT under different directions and intensity of external electric field are discussed systematically. It is shown that the electric field induced deformation in the radial and axial directions of the SWCNT are strongly dependent on the direction of electric field. The analysis of mechanical properties shows that the structure stiffness, tensile strength and failure strain of the SWCNT all decrease with the increase of the field intensity, which is particularly evident under the longitudinal electric field. The Young's modulus of SWCNTs vary with the tube diameter and are affected by the electric field. The increase of the length of the tubes intensifies the charge concentration at the tube ends under the electric field and lead to the decrease of mechanical properties of SWCNTs. The failure process of SWCNTs under the coupling effect of electric field and tensile loading is found to be controlled by the field strength and also affected by the electric charge accumulation.     

Bundling influence on ultrafast optical nonlinearities of single-walled carbon nanotubes in suspension and composite film

Nonlinear optical characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) dispersed in dichlorobenzene and imbedded in polymer were investigated at 800 nm using the time-resolved optical Kerr gate technique. For systematic study of the influence of SWCNT bundling on optical nonlinearities, SWCNT solutions with different concentrations and a series of SWCNT/polymer composites deposited on glass substrates with different concentrations and thicknesses were prepared. The nonlinear response was comparable to the pulse duration of the laser used (～90 fs) both in SWCNT solutions and SWCNT/polymer composites. Over three orders of magnitude enhancement was observed in the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of SWCNT/polymer composite film compared with that of SWCNT solution. An appreciable reduction of microscopic and macroscopic nonlinearities was observed with increasing SWCNT concentrations due to stronger bundling of SWCNTs.     

Effect of adding W to Fe catalyst on the synthesis of SWCNTs by arc discharge

Combining iron (Fe) and tungsten (W) as a bimetallic catalyst, we synthesized high-yield single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of narrow diameter distribution by a hydrogen–argon arc discharge method. Raman spectra indicate that the diameters of SWCNTs prepared using the Fe–W catalysts are about 0.5 nm smaller than those using Fe catalyst alone. The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies show that the SWCNTs prepared by the bimetallic catalyst coexist with few graphite flakes and other amorphous carbon. At the W content of 2–4 at%, tungsten cannot be found in the SWCNT samples. Thus by using a simple two-step purification process, high-purity SWCNT samples can be obtained. We have demonstrated the growth mechanism for the high melting metal (such as W, Mo)–Fe catalyst synthesis of SWCNTs by the arc discharge method.     

Mechanical properties of nickel-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes and their embedded gold matrix composites

The effects of nickel coating on the mechanical behaviors of armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their embedded gold matrix composites under axial tension are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The results show that the Young's moduli and tensile strength of SWCNTs obviously decrease after nickel coating. For armchair SWCNTs, the decreased ratio of the Young's moduli of SWCNTs with smaller radius is larger than that of SWCNTs with larger radius. A comparison is made between the response to Young's modulus of a composite with parallel embedded nanotube and the response of a composite with vertically embedded nanotube. The results show that the uncoated SWCNT can enhance the Young's modulus of composite under the condition of parallel embedment, but such improvement disappears under the condition of vertical embedment because the interaction between SWCNT and gold matrix is too weak for effective load transfer. However, the nickel-coated SWCNT can indeed significantly improve the composite behavior.     

金原子掺杂的碳纳米管吸附CO气体的密度泛函理论研究

鉴于碳纳米管复合材料具有较强气敏性,该性质对于指导剧毒气体探测器的研发具有重要意义,因此,本文采用密度泛函方法对CO气体在本征、金原子掺杂(8,0)单壁碳纳米管的吸附行为进行研究. 通过对吸附体系的几何、电子结构研究表明,CO分子在金原子掺杂的碳纳米管外壁的金原子位置处的吸附能力远大于CO在本征碳纳米管处的吸附,此外,还计算了两种典型位置的电子密度、态密度,进一步支持了掺金碳纳米管对CO气体具有超强的敏感性,因此,金原子掺杂的碳纳米管有望成为探测CO气体的新一代气敏元件. 关键词： 碳纳米管 CO 金原子 掺杂     

Position-controlled synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes on a transparent substrate by laser-induced chemical vapor deposition

The synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on a transparent substrate with multiple-catalyst layer (Fe/Al/Cr: 0.5/15/500 nm) using laser-induced chemical vapor deposition is reported. Ethylene (C₂H₄) mixed with hydrogen (H₂) and a continuous wave Nd:YVO₄ laser (532 nm) were used as the precursor gas and the irradiation source, respectively. It was found that the density and quality of the SWCNT dots varied sensitively to laser irradiance and chamber pressure. From subsequent micro-Raman analyses at different excitation sources (488, 514, 633, and 785 nm), the diameters of the SWCNTs were estimated to be within the range of 0.8-2 nm and that the SWCNT dots were composed of both semiconducting and metallic SWCNTs. It is demonstrated that an array of SWCNT dots can be fabricated at precisely controlled positions of a transparent substrate at room temperature with no need of catalysis patterning.     

Mechanism of Carbon Nanotubes Aligning along Applied Electric Field

The mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） aligning in the direction of external electric field is studied by quantum mechanics calculations. The rotational torque on the carbon nanotubes is proportional to the difference between the longitudinal and transverse polarizabilities and varies with the angle of SWCNTs to the external electric field. The longitudinal polarizability increases with second power of length, while the transverse polarizability increases linearly with length. A zigzag SWCNT has larger longitudinal and transverse polarizabilities than an armchair SWCNT with the same diameter and the discrepancy becomes larger for longer tubes.     

Analysis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using a Chemical Bond Element Model

提出了一种纳米尺度的有限元方法,碳纳米管中的碳-碳化学键被模拟为键单元．按照平衡关系,根据有限元理论,作用于每个碳原子上的作用力可以写成键单元的刚度矩阵与每个碳原子位移的乘积．在分子力学的基本假设下,键单元刚度矩阵的每个元素可以写为分子力学中力场常数的函数,这样建立起了宏观力学方法(有限元)与纳米尺度力学方法(分子力学)之间的联系．应用该方法模拟了扶椅型与锯齿型单壁碳纳米管的力学行为从而验证了该方法的有效性．分析结果说明单壁碳纳米管的弹性模量与管厚度的选取直接相关．此外,弹性模量对所选取的分子力学中的力场常数非常敏感,管的弹性模量显示出对半径的尺度依赖性,但是管长度对弹性模量的影响小到可以被忽略．     

Quantum Chemical Study on the adsorption of metformin drug on the surface of pristine,Si- and Al-doped (5, 5) SWCNTs

Adsorption properties of metformin (MF) drug onto pristine, Si- and Al-doped (5, 5) armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP and ωB97XD methods with the standard 6–311 G** basis set. The most stable geometries of the MF drug molecule onto pristine, Si- and Al-doped (5, 5) CNTs were selected and evaluated in the gaseous and aqueous environments. We calculated the natural bond orbitals (NBO), Frontier molecular orbital (FMO), density of states (DOS) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of systems upon adsorption of MF drug. It was found that the reaction of MF drug with pure SWCNT is physisorption in nature, while high chemisorption can be achieved by using Al- and Si-doped SWCNTs. Despite Al-doped SWCNT provides stronger adsorption, however the change in the energy gap of Si-doped SWCNT is more pronounced. It is predicted that MF drug incorporating Si-doped SWCNT can be extended as drug delivery system.