Fabrication and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/silicon nanowire array

Silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated on silicon wafers by the metal-assisted chemical etching method. Varied average diameters of SiNW arrays were realized through further treatment in a mixed agent of HF and HNO₃ of certain concentrations. After the treatment, there were more than 93% SiNWs with diameters smaller than 100 nm. The tip of each SiNW was subsequently wrapped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with chemical vapor deposition method. The as-fabricated MWCNT/SiNW arrays were fabricated into electric field emitters, with turn-on field of 2.0 V/μm (current density: 10 μA/cm²), much lower than that of SiNW array (5.0 V/μm). The turn-on electric field of MWCNT/SiNW array decreased with the decreasing of the average diameter of SiNWs, indicating the performance of the field emission is relative to the morphology of SiNWs. As the SiNW array is uniform in height and easy to fabricate, the MWCNT/SiNW array shows potential applications in flat electric display.     

Fabrication of cross-linked multi-walled carbon nanotube coatings with improved adhesion and intrinsic strength by a two-step synthesis: electrochemical deposition and hyperthermal proton bombardment

A two-step synthesis for multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coating was reported that includes an electrochemical deposition followed by 10 eV hyperthermal proton bombardment at a dose as low as 1×10¹⁶ H⁺/cm². Electrochemical deposition ensures an improved adhesion of MWCNT coating on metal substrates, while hyperthermal proton bombardment effectively induces inter-chain cross-linkages among MWCNTs, leading to a coating with both higher stiffness and mechanical strength. It was found experimentally that the MWCNT film made by the proposed two-step synthesis can better resist spinning and ultrasonic rinsing in both organic (hexane) and aqueous (water) media. PACS 61.46.+w; 68.35.Np; 68.37.Ps; 81.15.Pq     

Fabrication and transport properties of multiwall carbon nanotube crossroads

A multiwall carbon nanotube crossroads has been fabricated by a manipulation technique using a glass microcapillary, and the low temperature transport properties investigated. The two-terminal conductance of an individual tube shows Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid behavior G∝T^α at high temperature and dI/dV ∝V ^α at low temperature. However, no evidence of such a power-law behavior is obtained in the four-terminal conductance at the junction, where the conductance shows an almost metallic behavior ‘corrected’ by weak localization. Weak localization would essentially appear in electron states at the junctions of MWNTs.     

Evidence of multi-walled carbon nanotube fragmentation induced by sonication during nanotube encapsulation via bulk-suspension polymerization

The synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene composites, with nanotube concentrations of 0.04, 0.08 and 0.16 wt%, was carried out by in situ bulk-suspension polymerization with the assistance of sonication. By using this method both encapsulation and exfoliation of the nanotubes into the polymer host were achieved. Evidence of significant nanotube fragmentation was found by scanning electron microscopy; the cause of such fragmentation was attributed to the induction of strong cavitation due to the application of ultrasound during the synthesis. Infrared spectroscopy showed no evidence of the formation of covalent bonds between the nanotubes and the polystyrene during the process of synthesis. The thermal stability was not improved by the inclusion of the nanotubes, it was attributed to the low nanotube concentrations; however, composites glass transition temperature showed improvements.     

Field emission properties of electrophoretic deposition carbon nanotubes film

The field emission properties of electrophoretic deposition(EPD) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film have been improved by depositing CNTs onto the titanium (Ti)-coated Si substrate, followed by vacuum annealing at 900 °C for 2 h, and the enhanced emission mechanism has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Field emission measurements showed that the threshold electric field was decreased and the emission current stability was improved compared to that of EPD CNTs film on bare Si substrate. XRD and Raman spectroscopy investigations revealed that vacuum annealing treatment not only decreased the structural defects of CNTs but made a titanium carbide interfacial layer formed between CNTs and substrate. The field emission enhancement could be attributed to the improved graphitization of CNTs and the improved contact properties between CNTs and substrate including electrical conductivity and adhesive strength due to the formed conductive titanium carbide.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester (TLCP) was synthesized via low-temperature solution polycondensation from 1,4-Bis(4-Hydroxybenzoyloxy)butane and terephthaloyl dichloride. Polymer nanocomposites based on a small quantity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by in situ polymerization method. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) results suggested that the addition of MWNTs to TLCP matrix did not significantly change the crystal structure of TLCP. The interactions between the molecules of the TLCP host phase and the carbon nanotubes were investigated through Raman spectroscopy investigations. We detected a distinct wave number shift of the radial breathing modes, confirming the carbon nanotubes interacted with the surrounding liquid crystal molecules, most likely through aromatic interactions (π-stacking). The interactions between liquid crystal host and nanotube guests were also evident from a polarizing microscopy (POM) study of the liquid crystal-isotropic phase transition in the proximity of nanotubes. The thermal properties and the morphological properties of the TLCP/MWNTs nanocomposites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TGA data demonstrated the addition of a small amount of MWNTs into TLCP matrix could improve the thermal stability of TLCP matrix. DSC results revealed that melt transition temperatures and isotropic transition temperatures of the hybrids were enhanced.     

Fabrication and electrical properties of a carbon nanotube quantum dot

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by pyrolyzing methane (CH₄) at a temperature of 900℃ on SiO₂ substrates pre-coated with iron nano-particles. Electrical contacts were fabricated onto one of the SWNTs by using an electron beam lithography process. Coulomb blockade and single-electron tunnelling characters were found at low temperatures, indicating that the SWNT in-between the electrodes forms a quantum dot. It is found that the Coulomb gap of the quantum dot is about 8.57 meV, and the factor \alpha , which converts the gate voltage to the true electrostatic potential shift, is around 200 for this device.     

溶胶-喷雾法制备多壁碳纳米管增强氧化铝基复合材料及性能研究

采用溶胶-喷雾制备了多壁碳纳米管增强氧化铝基球形复合粉体,采用放电等离子真空快速烧结成型.SEM分析测试结果表明,多壁碳纳米管在氧化铝基体中呈网络分布,且主要位于晶界处,少量呈穿晶分布.复合材料性能分析测试结果表明,当多壁碳纳米管的质量分数为0.5%时,复合材料的维氏硬度相对纯的氧化铝提高了32.6%;热扩散系数在不同测试温度下相对纯氧化铝的平均提高幅度为27.2%.此外,当多壁碳纳米管质量分数达到0.5%时复合材料呈导体,根据渗流导电理论拟合得到实验制备复合材料的渗流阈值为0.32 wt.%,说明多壁碳纳米管在氧化铝基体中分散良好.     

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.     

Electrical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites with poly(methyl methacrylate) were prepared via both an in situ bulk polymerization and a suspension polymerization using a radical initiator of 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). Prior to the synthesis, the MWNT was purified in an acidic solution to remove impurities such as metallic catalysts and amorphous carbons. The AIBN induced PMMA was grafted on the MWNT, which was confirmed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). The composite morphology of the MWNT was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical characteristics were further examined via both a four-probe method and a rotational rheometer equipped with a high voltage generator.     

Fabrication of carbon nanotube bundles and measurement of field electron emission properties

Carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles are synthesized on rough polycrystalline ceramic wafers by pyrolyzing ferrocene/melamine mixtures through a three-step process in a single stage furnace in an Ar atmosphere. The CNTs are multi-walled and have outer diameters from 10 to 90 nm and lengths from 20 to 100 microns. These CNTs display a bamboo-like structure with open graphite layers and defects at the outer surfaces. Field electron emission (FEE) measurements show that the turn-on electrical field is 2.9 V/m and the field enhancement factor is 2700. PACS 61.46.+w; 82.30.Lp; 79.70.+q     

Synthesis of modified multi-walled carbon nanotube poly(benzimidazole-imide) composites: assessment of morphological and thermo-mechanical properties

A fully aromatic poly(benzimidazole-imide) (PBI) containing triazole side units and amine-modified multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/PBI composites were fabricated via a polymerization process of monomer reactants and solution mixing with ultrasonication excitation. The polymer and composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. According to the microscopic characterizations, the MWCNTs homogeneously dispersed in the composites. The mechanical properties of the composite films were also measured by tensile test. The test results evidently indicated that the Young’s modulus increased by about 60.0% at 1 wt% CNT loading, and further modulus growth was observed at higher filler loading. The composite films hold preferable thermal stability the same as the pure PBI. The improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties was attributed to the incorporation of the surface modified CNTs. For CNT-reinforced polymer composites, strong interfacial adhesion and uniform dispersion of CNTs are more crucial factors for improving such properties.     

Effect of cross-linkable polymer on the morphology and properties of transparent multi-walled carbon nanotube conductive films

In this study, we fabricated optically transparent and electrically conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) thin films using a spray-coating technique. The transparency and the electrical resistance of thin film are dependent on the nanotube content deposited on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were used as adhesion promoters to improve MWCNT coating more significantly. The cross-linked polymer resulted in a superior bond between the MWCNTs and the substrates. The surface electrical resistance was significantly lower than the original sheet after nitric acid (HNO₃) treatment because of the removed surfactant and the increased interconnecting networks of MWCNT bundles, thus improving the electrical and optical properties of the films. Stronger interaction between the MWCNTs and the substrates resulted in lower decomposition of the polymer chain and less amounts of MWCNTs separated into the HNO₃ solution. The lower sheet electrical resistance of PVP/PAA-g-MWCNT conductive films on the PET substrate was because of a more complete conductive path with the cross-linked polymer than that without. Such an improved sheet of electrical resistance varied from 8.83 × 10⁴ Ω/□ to 2.65 × 10³ Ω/□ with 5.0 wt.% PVP/PAA-g-MWCNT sprayed on the PET after acid treatment.     

Fabrication and structure: a study of aligned carbon nanotube/carbon nanocomposites

Aligned carbon nanotube/carbon (Acnt/C) nanocomposites have been fabricated by densifying an Acnt preform with chemical vapour infiltration technology. Microstructure observations show that pyrocarbon in Acnt/C was mainly rough lamella type while pyrocarbon in carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix (C/C) composites was typically smooth lamella type in spite of the same process. The thermal conductivity of these Acnt/C nanocomposites is about 4 times that of C/C composites. Their electrical conductivity of Acnt/C nanocomposites was anisotropic, i.e. approximately 1.61×10⁴ Ω⁻¹ m⁻¹ and 5.68×10³ Ω⁻¹ m⁻¹ in the direction parallel and vertical to the aligned carbon nanotubes, respectively.     

Fabrication of double- and multi-walled carbon nanotube transparent conductive films by filtration-transfer process and their property improvement by acid treatment

Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and two kinds of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes were employed as raw materials to fabricate transparent conductive films (TCFs). DWCNTs constructed the densest conductive network at the same transmittance, and the corresponding TCFs showed the best performance (320 Ω/□ at 75.0% T). The ratio of dc conductivity to optical conductivity (σ _dc/σ _op) of the as-dispersed DWCNTs was 3.88. The as-obtained TCFs were dipped in HNO₃ solution to improve their performances. Attributed to the removal of sodium dodecyl sulfate molecules, reduction of film thickness, and doping with electron acceptors (such as oxygen), the surface resistance after HNO₃ treatment decreased. The σ _dc/σ _op ratio of the DWCNTs was further increased to 5.24.     

Physical properties,thermal stability,and glass transition temperature of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polypyrrole nanocomposites

Polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized and doped with 1, 2, 4, and 8?wt.% of functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by in situ polymerization. TGA/DTA analysis of nanocomposites revealed an increase in thermal stability by increasing the CNTs wt.%. Measurement of electrical resistivity showed a reduction in the resistivity of the composites at all temperatures. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the samples was measured using electrical resistivity measurements and showed that by increasing the amount of functionalized MWCNTs in PPy, its T_g was increased. Temperature dependence of resistivity of pressed pure PPy showed that by increasing the pelletization pressure, the T_g increased. Also the hardness of nanocomposites was increased by increasing the MWCNTs wt.%.     

Contact resistance of multi-walled carbon nanotube/natural rubber nanocomposites with metallic ball

This paper reports on the contact resistance (R_c) between carbon filler/natural rubber (NR) nanocomposite and gold ball: three varieties of nanocomposites were prepared from carbon black (CB) and two kinds of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different diameter. R_c of MWCNT/NR nanocomposite was remarkably less than that of CB/NR nanocomposites. The relationship between R_c of MWCNT/NR nanocomposites and applied load was expressed in the formula, R_c=C·P⁻ⁿ (P: load, C and n: constant): for the MWCNTs (diameters of 13 nm)/NR and MWCNTs (diameters of 67 nm)/ NR nanocomposites, they were expressed as R_c=1724·P^−0.6 and R_c=344·P^−0.37, respectively. The former (MWCNT, ϕ13 nm) showed higher R_c than the latter (MWCNT, ϕ67 nm) over whole region of applied load. The mechanical hardness of the former was higher (90 HsA) than that of the latter (82 HsA). Therefore, the smaller contact area between the nanocomposite and gold ball of the former resulted in higher R_c. The apparent specific contact resistivity was calculated from the observed values of R_c and contact area: 130 Ω mm² and 127 Ω mm² for the former (MWCNT, ϕ13 nm) and the latter (MWCNT, ϕ67 nm), respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of amphiphilic multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, average diameter 8 nm) functionalized by N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) were synthesized by radical polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy. These NVP–MWCNTs exhibit remarkable solubility in water, ethanol and dimethyl formamide. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone can be attached onto the surface of the MWCNTs and the degree of functionalization is affected by NVP content. The functionalization causes possible grafting reaction and solid physical coating between MWCNTs and PVP.