Low Dimension Semiconducting Composite Nanomaterials

Recently, low dimension nanostructures have gained considerable attention due to their technological potential as unique types of nanoscale building blocks for future optoelectronic devices and systems. Semiconducting composite nanomaterials, which can combine the advantages of two or more components, have been the focus in the area of nanomaterials synthesis and device application.In this paper, we report our work on the preparation of composite nanomaterials based on CNTs.CNTs were coated by organic or inorganic species via novel and facile methods (Fig. 1 and Fig.2).These functional CNTs based composites show eminent prospects and opportunities for new applications in a wide variation of areas.     

碳纳米管共价功能化

碳纳米管由于其独特的结构与优异的各项性能,在许多领域具有巨大的应用潜力,已引起了广泛的关注。由于碳纳米管不溶于水和有机溶剂,极大地制约了其性能应用,因此碳纳米管的功能化就成为目前研究的热点。本文侧重于碳纳米管的共价功能化,详细讨论了碳纳米管不同位置共价功能化的研究进展。     

聚合物辅助碳纳米管定向定位排列

探讨了聚合物对碳纳米管的不同表面修饰作用,总结了聚合物对碳纳米管的共价与非共价修饰方法,修饰后的碳纳米管在水溶液或不同极性有机溶剂、聚合物本体中的分散性得到了改善,更为碳纳米管的阵列化提供了前提.以碳纳米管的后排列为中心,主要综述了聚合物辅助下的碳纳米管垂直和水平方向上的定向排列方法,及近年来碳纳米管阵列化的研究进展,阐述了聚合物对碳纳米管的表面修饰及辅助碳纳米管实现阵列化的重要作用,提出了利用聚合物体系的自组织特性诱导碳纳米管自组装阵列化可以为实现单根碳纳米管的定向定位控制及纳米尺度功能器件的制备提供更多的可能.     

Surfactant-coated carbon nanotubes as pseudophases in liquid-liquid extraction

The advantages of surfactant-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as coadjutants in liquid-liquid extraction are systematically considered. The effect of the CNT state (dispersed or suspended in an aqueous medium) is characterized by the single-component solid-liquid isotherms exemplified for benzene. Adsorption isotherms are obtained by means of a headspace-GC-MS method, the recommended instrumental combination when very volatile compounds are involved. Adsorption studies are completed using toluene and n-undecane as model analytes of aromatic and linear hydrocarbons, respectively. The potential of using dispersed carbon nanotubes to improve liquid-liquid extraction is finally evaluated. The liquid-liquid distribution of the two model analytes between an organic phase (n-heptane) and the aqueous dispersion of CNTs is studied via batch extraction and subsequent analysis of the organic phase by GC-MS. A prospective application of this methodology is also given.     

Preparation of nanocomposites of metals, metal oxides, and carbon nanotubes via self-assembly

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based composites have attracted significant research interest in recent years, owing to their important applications in various technological fields. In this investigation, we describe a general approach to make CNTs-based nanocomposites via self-assembly. The method allows one to prepare binary composites as well as complex systems such as ternary or even quaternary composites where nanoparticles of active phases (e.g., metals and metal oxides) are used as primary building blocks. Six different kinds of binary, ternary, and quaternary nanocomposites, TiO2/CNTs, Co3O4/CNTs, Au/CNTs, Au/TiO2/CNTs, TiO2/Co3O4/CNTs, and Co/CoO/Co3O4/CNTs, have been reported herein in order to draw common features for various assembly schemes. To understand the interconnectivity between the active phases and CNTs, we have devised a range of experiments and examined the resultant samples with many instrumental techniques. On the basis of this work, we demonstrate that highly complex inorganic-organic nanohybrids with good controls in particle shape, size, and distribution can be fabricated from presynthesized nanobuilding units. Concerning their workability, we further show that self-assembled TiO2/CNTs are sufficiently robust and the electrochemical performance of TiO2 is significantly enhanced when it is used as a cathode material in Li-battery application.     

A simple route for the attachment of colloidal nanocrystals to noncovalently modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A simple strategy for the fabrication of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)–nanocrystal (NC) heterostructures is shown. Different nanoparticles can be covalently coupled to functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a uniform and controllable manner. MWNTs have been functionalized by a polymer wrapping—technique that is non-invasive, and does not introduce defects to the structure of CNTs; the polymer is noncovalently adsorbed on the MWNT's surface. Moreover, this method ensures good dispersion and high stability in any commonly used organic or inorganic solvent. In this manner, our strategy allows the attachment of various colloidal nanoparticles to CNTs, independent of their surface properties, i.e. hydrophilic or hydrophobic.     

新型碳纳米管色谱固定相制备的研究进展

碳纳米管（CNTs）作为一种新型的功能材料,具有优异的物理、化学和机械性能,已经在分析化学领域得到了广泛的关注和应用。通过填充法或原位化学气相沉积法,可制备CNTs气相色谱固定相;将CNTs沉积在硅胶微球或有机聚合物基质微球表面,可制备填充式CNTs液相色谱固定相;通过包埋共聚法将CNTs嵌入聚合物整体柱内,可制备毛细管CNTs液相色谱整体柱。本文主要综述了近年来CNTs（单壁碳纳米管和多壁碳纳米管）用于色谱固定相制备的研究现状,包括气相色谱及液相色谱,并对该领域今后的发展进行展望。     

The Colloidal Stabilization of Carbon with Carbon: Carbon Nanobubbles as both Dispersant and Glue for Carbon Nanotubes

The superior physical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have led to their broad application. Intrinsically, CNTs tend to agglomerate from hydrophobic interactions, which is highly undesirable for solution processing and device fabrication. Commonly, a stabilizer consisting of organic surfactants or polymers is used to disperse CNTs. Recently, we synthesized nitrogen‐doped carbon hollow nanospheres (25–90 nm), termed carbon “nanobubbles”. They bear superior dispersability in water and distinctive graphitic order. Herein, we describe the nanobubble‐assisted dispersion of CNTs in aqueous solution upon sonication. This process relies on the π–π interaction between the two aromatic carbon nanostructures, which can process their carbon mixture in water into conductive filter membranes, ink, and discs. This stabilization can be extended to other aromatic carbons. In addition, the π–π interaction may create a new type of carbon p–n junction that can be used to improve charge separation.     

Interactions between polymers and carbon nanotubes: a molecular dynamics study

We used force-field-based molecular dynamics to study the interaction between polymers and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The intermolecular interaction energy between single-walled carbon nanotubes and polymers was computed, and the morphology of polymers adsorbed to the surface of nanotubes was investigated. Furthermore, the "wrapping" of nanotubes by polymer chains was examined. It was found that the specific monomer structure plays a very important role in determining the strength of interaction between nanotubes and polymers. The results of our study suggest that polymers with a backbone containing aromatic rings are promising candidates for the noncovalent binding of carbon nanotubes into composite structures. Such polymers can be used as building blocks in amphiphilic copolymers to promote increased interfacial binding between the CNT and a polymeric matrix.     

Carbon nanotubes in emulsion‐templated porous polymers: Polymer nanoparticles,sulfonation, and conductivity

Sulfonated polymers are of interest for ion exchange resins, reaction supports, and membranes for separation, filtration, fuel cells, and electrochemical devices. Sulfonic groups have been introduced into polystyrene (PS) through exposure to sulfuric acid, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been added to polymers to enhance proton conductivity without creating an electronic percolation pathway. PolyHIPEs, emulsion‐templated porous polymers with highly interconnected hierarchical open‐cell porous structures, are synthesized through polymerization in the external phases of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). In this article, the synthesis of PS‐based CNT‐filled polyHIPEs, their structure, sulfonation, and conductivity are described. Adding CNT dispersions to the HIPEs produced polymer nanoparticle–covered polyHIPEs from polymerization within the water‐soluble surfactant micelles in the internal aqueous phase droplets. The CNTs migrated from the HIPE's aqueous phase droplets into the HIPE's organic phase and formed interconnected bundles within the polyHIPE walls, reflecting a reduction in the surfactant's ability to disperse the CNTs. The water adsorption in the hygroscopic sulfonated polyHIPEs increased the conductivity by several orders of magnitude. The conductivity of the sulfonated polyHIPE containing CNTs was more than an order of magnitude greater than that of the sulfonated polyHIPEs with no CNTs. The CNTs act as “bridges,” enhancing the connection between existing conductive pathways. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4369–4377     

Self-assembled peptide nanostructures: the design of molecular building blocks and their technological utilization

In this tutorial review the process and applications of peptide self-assembly into nanotubes, nanospheres, nanofibrils, nanotapes, and other ordered structures at the nano-scale are discussed. The formation of well-ordered nanostructures by a process of self-association represents the essence of modern nanotechnology. Such self-assembled structures can be formed by a variety of building blocks, both organic and inorganic. Of the organic building blocks, peptides are among the most useful ones. Peptides possess the biocompatibility and chemical diversity that are found in proteins, yet they are much more stable and robust and can be readily synthesized on a large scale. Short peptides can spontaneously associate to form nanotubes, nanospheres, nanofibrils, nanotapes, and other ordered structures at the nano-scale. Peptides can also form macroscopic assemblies such as hydrogels with nano-scale order. The application of peptide building blocks in biosensors, tissue engineering, and the development of antibacterial agents has already been demonstrated.     

Adsorption and desorption of atrazine on carbon nanotubes

The potential impact of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on human health and the environment is receiving more and more attention. The high surface area of CNTs tends to adsorb a large variety of toxic chemicals, which may enhance the toxicity of CNTs and/or toxic chemicals. In this study, adsorption and desorption of atrazine on carbon nanotubes from aqueous solution were studied through batch reactors. The adsorption equilibrium isotherms were nonlinear and were fitted by Freundlich, Langmuir, and Polanyi-Manes models. It was found that the Polanyi-Manes model described the adsorption process better than other two isotherm models. Together with the "characteristic curve," the Polanyi adsorption potential theory is applicable to describe the adsorption process of atrazine on CNTs. Thermodynamic calculations indicated that the adsorption reaction of atrazine on CNTs is spontaneous and exothermic. The desorption data showed that no significant desorption hysteresis occurred. High adsorption capacity and adsorption reversibility of atrazine on CNTs suggest that CNTs have high health and environmental risks, whereas they have potential applications for atrazine removal from water.     

Fabrication of metal nanoparticles–carbon nanotubes composite materials in solution

A new solution-phase method for synthesis of metal nanoparticles–carbon nanotubes (CNTs) assemblies is described. By injection of CNTs solution into the diethyl ether/aqueous solution of metal salt biphasic mixture, metal (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) nanoparticles–decorated CNTs composite materials can be prepared. Metal nanoparticles have spontaneously and selectively formed on the sidewalls of CNTs through redox reaction between CNTs and metal ions. This phenomenon has been probed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy.     

Carbon nanotubes reinforced with natural/synthetic polymers to mimic the extracellular matrices of bone – a review

The persistent failure of conventional materials used in manufacturing orthopedic implants was due to the deficiency or poor integrations of implant materials to the juxtaposed bone and stress-strain imbalances between the interfaces of tissues and implant materials. Therefore, the fabrication of a suitable bioactive scaffold for bone tissue engineering is considered a vital requisite to mimic the extracellular bone matrix. Numerous researches were reported concerning the fabrication of a suitable bioactive scaffold to improve cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation so far. However, for the past two decades, the research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced composites employed in the biomedical field is increasing day-by-day because of its outstanding properties. Moreover, it is essential to choose a biocompatible polymer with greater affinity to act as an extracellular matrix as well as to attract CNTs and in facilitating the homogeneous distribution of CNTs in aqueous and organic solvents. The development of CNTs-based composites in bone tissue engineering is presented in this review based on the last 10 years of research. The detailed information about the structural-functions and defects of bone, and the importance of CNTs-functionalized natural and synthetic polymers, and their potential activity in bone regenerations and bone replacements have been reviewed.     

Self-metallization of photocatalytic porphyrin nanotubes

Porphyrin nanotubes represent a new class of nanostructures for which the molecular building blocks can be altered to control their structural and functional properties. Nanotubes containing tin(IV) porphyrins are photocatalytically active and can reduce metal ions from aqueous solution. The metal is deposited selectively onto tube surfaces, producing novel composite nanostructures that have potential applications as nanodevices. Two examples presented here are nanotubes with a continuous gold wire in the core and a gold ball at the end and nanotubes coated with platinum nanoparticles mainly on their outer surfaces. The latter are capable of photocatalytic reduction of water to hydrogen.     

碳纳米管在样品前处理中的应用

碳纳米管是一维碳基纳米材料,具有独特的管状结构、良好的化学稳定性、热稳定性和高比表面积.近年来,碳纳米管在有机小分子、金属离子和生物大分子分离富集方面得到了广泛的应用.本文综述了碳纳米管及功能化碳纳米管在固相萃取、固相微萃取、中空纤维膜保护固相微萃取和液膜萃取等样品前处理技术中的应用.     

Blood compatible carbon nanotubes--nano-based neoproteoglycans

Although nanotechnology has provided a rich variety of nanomaterials (1-100 nm) for in vivo medical applications, the blood compatibility of all these nanobiomaterials is still largely unexamined. Here, we report the preparation of blood-compatible carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that potentially represent the building blocks for nanodevices having in vivo applications. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thromboelastography (TEG) studies prove that heparinization can significantly enhance the blood compatibility of nanomaterials.     

层状双金属氢氧化物/碳纳米管复合物的制备及在有机溶剂中的分散

通过硝酸处理在碳纳米管(CNTs)表面生成了羧基(-COOH)基团, 随后采用尿素法在其水悬浮液中原位合成了层状双金属氢氧化物(LDH), 获得了层状双金属氢氧化物/碳纳米管复合物(LDH/CNTs), 考察了CNTs用量对LDH形貌与结构的影响. 结果表明, CNTs的用量对LDH的产率及结构无显著影响; 但当CNTs用量较低(<0.2 g/L)或过高(>4.0 g/L)时, 会导致LDH的粒径分布变宽. 对LDH/CNTs进行氯化及有机化处理, 获得了十二烷基苯磺酸根离子(DBS)插层的DBS-LDH/CNTs. 对DBS-LDH/CNTs在不同有机溶剂中分散及剥离程度的研究发现, DBS-LDH/CNTs在丁醇、 乙醇及二甲苯中均可良好分散且其悬浮液较稳定, LDH在不同溶剂中的剥离程度为丁醇>乙醇>二甲苯>四氢呋喃.     

Oligoaniline assisted dispersion of carbon nanotubes in epoxy matrix for achieving the nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical,thermal and tribological properties

A critical challenge for initiating many applications of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is their dispersion in organic solvent or in polymer melt. In the present study, we described a novel strategy for fabricating carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced epoxy nanocomposite by utilizing aniline trimer (AT) as the noncovalent dispersant. Tensile testing showed that the tensile modulus of the CNTs-reinforced epoxy composites was considerably improved by adding a small amount of AT functionalized CNTs. Additionally, the as-prepared CNTs-epoxy nanocomposites exhibited superior tribological properties with much lower frictional coefficients and wear rates compared to those of neat epoxy resin. The well dispersed AT-functionalized CNTs in epoxy matrix played an important role in enhancing the mechanical properties, as well as acting as a solid lubricant for improving the tribological performance of epoxy/CNTs nanocomposite.     

Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with various carbon nanotube counter electrodes

Double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated as an alternative for platinum in counter-electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. The counter-electrodes were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by the screen printing technique from pastes of carbon nanotubes and organic binder. The solar cells were assembled from carbon nanotubes counter-electrodes and screen printed anodes made from titanium dioxide. The cells produced with DWCNTs, SWCNTs or MWCNTs have overall conversion efficiencies of 8.0%, 7.6% and 7.1%, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that DWCNTs displayed the highest catalytic activity for the reduction of tri-iodide ions. The large surface area and superior chemical stability of the DWCNTs facilitated the electron-transfer kinetics at the interface between counter-electrode and electrolyte and yielded the lowest transfer resistance, thereby improving the photovoltaic activity. A short-term stability test at moderate conditions confirmed the robustness of solar cells based on the use of DWCNTs, SWCNTs or MWCNTs.