连续碳纳米管线及其应用

如何将碳纳米管组装成宏观尺度的结构对于碳纳米管的宏观应用来说具有重要意义．自从碳纳米管被发现以来，在合成大面积碳纳米管阵列方面已经取得很多的进展，并有望应用于场发射平板显示器．然而，在如何将碳纳米管顺排起来连成连续的长线方面则鲜有进展．这里介绍的是作者最近的新发现：当从一种作者称之为“超顺排”碳纳米管阵列中拔出一束碳纳米管时，碳纳米管以可自组织成一条连续的长线．在这个过程中，“超顺排”碳纳米管阵列起的作用如同一个蚕茧，阵列中的碳纳米管则由范德瓦耳斯力首尾相连形成连续的纯碳纳米管线．这种碳纳米管线平行排列起来构成的偏振片可以工作在紫外波段．这种碳纳米管线还可以用作白炽灯的灯丝，仅需很小的功率就可以发出白炽光．不仅如此，这种碳纳米管线经过高温处理后，强度和导电性都得到明显增强，这将使碳纳米管线在宏观领域内得到更多的应用．     

Correlation between the catalytic activity of polyoxometallates and the special features of their tunnel and optical spectra

The tunnel spectra of phosphomolybdic acid, a classic heteropoly acid with a Keggin anion, were measured in ultrahigh-vacuum experiments with the use of scanning tunnel microscopy. The dependences of the resonance characteristics of the spectra, “negative differential resistances,” on the vacuum gap, material of contacts, and field polarity were studied. An earlier unknown mechanism of the formation of these characteristics was described. The mechanism included the action of strong electric fields in scanning tunnel microscope nanocontacts and a low degree of the delocalization of Keggin anion peripheral electrons. Strong electric fields (∼10⁷ V/cm) characteristic of spectroscopic measurements with the use of scanning tunnel microscopes could break exchange bonds in heteropoly acids and their derivatives. This produced spectroscopic effects of interest for catalysis and nanoelectronics.     

Low-cost,solution processable carbon nanotube supercapacitors and their characterization

We report ecological and low-cost carbon nanotube (CNT) supercapacitors fabricated using a simple, scalable solution processing method, where the use of a highly porous and electrically conductive active material eliminates the need for a current collector. Electrodes were fabricated on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate from a printable multi-wall CNT ink, where the CNTs are solubilized in water using xylan as a dispersion agent. The dispersion method facilitates a very high concentration of CNTs in the ink. Supercapacitors were assembled using a paper separator and an aqueous NaCl electrolyte and the devices were characterized with a galvanostatic discharge method defined by an industrial standard. The capacitance of the \(2\hbox { cm}^2\) devices was \(6\hbox { mF/cm}^2\)  (2.3 F/g) and equivalent series resistance \(80\,\Omega \) . Low-cost supercapacitors fabricated from safe and environmentally friendly materials have potential applications as energy storage devices in ubiquitous and autonomous intelligence as well as in disposable low-end products.     

Molecular dynamics study of the stability of a carbon nanotube atop a catalytic nanoparticle

The effect of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) on the quantum heat engine (QHE) consisting of a laser system is studied in terms of its dynamical evolution and the generation of coherences. The QHE is coupled to the two thermal photon reservoirs, a squeezed thermal bath as well as to a cavity mode. The coherence associated with the transition interacting with squeezed reservoir and the average thermal photon number of the hot (as well as cold) reservoir shows a non monotonous behavior between them. The dynamics along with generated coherences of the system and the laser power emitted depend sensitively on the hot, cold and squeezed reservoir parameters.     

Correlation between the viscoelastic properties of a soft crystal and its microstructure

We investigate the rheological properties of a cubic fcc phase of micelles obtained by aggregation of a triblock copolymer (PEO)₁₂₇(PPO)₄₈(PEO)₁₂₇ in water as selective solvent. The resulting soft solid is submitted to a range of stresses varying from 20 to 800Pa in Couette geometry. Creep and flow behaviour can be distinguished and interpreted in terms of structural changes previously observed by SAXS under flow. Contrasting with other systems, no discontinuity in the flow behaviour is associated with the structural changes. The strong shear thinning is interpreted from the scattering data, as resulting from the nucleation of a new structure of hexagonal compact planes parallel to the Couette walls. This creates a lubricating domain in the gap, whose size grows with the applied shear rate. We argue moreover that the very existence of flow (as a steady state opposed to creep) is associated with this so-called layer-sliding structure in a fraction, however small, of the sample. Received on 4 June 1999 and Received in final form 6 September 1999     

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.     

Increasing the luminous efficiency of an MEH-PPV based PLED using salmon DNA and single walled carbon nanotube

The combined effect of a salmon deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based electron blocking layer and a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite-based electron transport layer on the performance of a poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) polymer light emitting diode (PLED) has been examined. The SWCNT network in the composite layer improves electron injection from cathode and the DNA blocks these high mobility electrons at the electron blocking layer-polymer interface, leading to high luminance from the device. The luminous efficiency of the PLED is increased ∼20 times compared to that of a PLED using only MEH-PPV.     

Polystyrene/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites prepared by suspension polymerization and their electrorheological behavior

Polystyrene and polystyrene/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites, PS/MWNT, with MWNT content up to 1 wt.% were prepared in the form of microspheres through in situ suspension polymerization. The morphology of the fraction of 32–64 μm was examined by SEM and TEM microscopy. On the surface of the spheres the presence of MWNT was not observed. The microspheres intersections showed the structure of aggregates of sintered beads a few micrometers in size with heterogeneous interface. No MWNT material was observed inside the beads; it seemed to be situated in the heterogeneous phase of microspheres. Suspensions of PS/MWNT in silicone oil show electrorheological effect, whose intensity strongly depends on MWNT content in composite microspheres.     

Correlations between microstructure of plasma-modified gold nanoclusters and their optical properties

Gold nanoclusters with diameters up to 50 nm were grown in sandwich structures consisting in 15 nm of plasma deposited silicon nitride, 1 nm of gold grown by sputtering and 15 nm of plasma deposited silicon nitride (SiN/Au/SiN). Previous to the last step, ammonia plasma treatments of the gold surface were carried out with time as the main variable. The resulting structures were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. As a result of plasma treatments, island-like structures of as-grown gold clusters evolve to near spherical-shape features with decreasing diameter as the plasma treatment time rises. Ellipsometric spectra were modeled based on the Bruggeman effective medium approximation and the influence of size and shape of nanoparticles on the optical properties were calculated.     

Correlation of the chemical properties of carbon nanotubes with their atomic and electronic structures

The nature of chemical bonding in carbon nanoclusters is investigated by the PM3 semiempirical quantum-chemical method. The influence of the atomic structure on the electronic characteristics and chemical properties of nanoclusters is analyzed. A σ-π model is proposed for the chemical bonding in nanotubes. It is shown that, in the framework of the proposed model, nanotubes are objects characterized by a small contribution of π states to the valence band top.     

Correlation between the energy of SiGe nanoislands and their shape and size

The total energy of self-assembled SiGe nanoislands on a silicon substrate is investigated theoretically as a function of their geometric and physical parameters. It is demonstrated that the growth temperature and the silicon content in nanoislands affect the minimum of their energy. The results of numerical calculations for nanoislands are compared with experimental data obtained by atomic-force microscopy.     

Correlation between ablation efficiency and nanoparticle generation during the short-pulse laser ablation of metals

The mechanisms of material ablation and nanoparticle generation from metal samples exposed to intense short laser pulses are experimentally investigated. We performed measurements of the ablated volume using optical microscopy and the analysis of the ablation plume by fast imaging. The results confirm the existence of two distinguished ablation regimes as a function of the laser fluence, and give a deeper insight in the involved physical mechanisms. Thus, both regimes are found to be related to the relative amount of atoms and nanoparticles within the plume. Comparing the results obtained for copper and gold, it is possible to determine the influence of electron-lattice coupling on the sample heat regime and the resulting plume properties.     

Phonon spectrum and interaction between nanotubes in single-walled carbon nanotube bundles at high pressures and temperatures

The Raman spectra of single-walled carbon nanotubes at temperatures up to 730 K and pressures up to 7 GPa have been measured. The behavior of phonon modes and the interaction between nanotubes in bundles have been studied. It has been found that the temperature shift of the vibrational G mode is completely reversible, whereas the temperature shift of radial breathing modes is partially irreversible and the softening of the modes and narrowing of phonon bands are observed. The temperature shift and softening of radial breathing modes are also observed when samples are irradiated by laser radiation with a power density of 6.5 kW/mm². The dependence of the relative frequency Ω/Ω₀ for G ⁺ and G ^? phonon modes on the relative change A ₀/A in the triangular lattice constant of bundles of nanotubes calculated using the thermal expansion coefficient and compressibility coefficient of nanotube bundles shows that the temperature shift of the G mode is determined by the softening of the C-C bond in nanotubes. An increase in the equilibrium distances between nanotubes at the breaking of random covalent C-C bonds between nanotubes in bundles of nanotubes is in my opinion the main reason for the softening of the radial breathing modes.     

Island models and the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide-olefin mixtures

Simple kinetic models which take account of the formation of islands of adsorbate on a catalyst surface are proposed, and are compared with an elementary step model for CO oxidation and oxidation of a CO-butene or CO-propylene mixture. The island models give fits to data from step change transient experiments which are comparable with the elementary step model, and give better fits to steady-state and continuously oscillating data (the latter with hydrocarbon present). Theoretical predictions of chaotic behaviour in CO oxidation can be obtained with the island models. Comparisons between island models suggest that islands of CO have the most significant effect on simulations at the experimental conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of vanadium nanoparticles on activated carbon and their catalytic activity in thiophene hydrodesulphurization

Vanadium nanoparticles (∼7 nm) stabilized on activated carbon were synthesized by the reduction of VCl₃·3THF with K[BEt₃H]. This material was characterized by inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The catalytic performance of the carbon-supported vanadium was studied using thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) as model reaction at 300 °C and P = 1 atm. The catalytic activity of the vanadium carbide phase on the activated carbon carrier was more significant than that of the reference catalysts, alumina supported NiMoS. The method proposed for the synthesis of such a catalyst led to an excellent performance of the HDS process.     

Dynamics and damping of electromagnetic solitons in the carbon nanotube bundles

The possible existence of the electromagnetic solitons in carbon nanotubes is analyzed. Solitons appear as a result of a simultaneous change in the classical electron distribution function and the electric field produced by the nonequilibrium electrons in carbon nanotube. The effective equations are obtained for the dynamics of electromagnetic field with allowance for the interband transitions causing soliton damping. The numerical results are presented evidencing the existence of solitons in carbon nanotubes. The propagation dynamics is studied for the periodic electromagnetic waves in the bundles of carbon nanotubes. The shape of electromagnetic wave is found to change during its propagation.     

Structure and electronic properties of a heterojunction between a single wall carbon nanotube and a TiC cluster

Atomic structures and electronic properties of heterojunctions of Ti-TiC and TiC-single wall carbon nanotube, Ti₄₈-Ti₁₉C₂₆ and Ti₁₉C₂₄-C₃₀, are studied by the first principles calculation based on the density functional theory. At the junctions, these substrates are smoothly connected with each other and keep their original structures and electronic properties. The structures of the junctions obtained in the present work give a realistic model to ab initio study for electronic transport properties through the junction of a carbon nanotube and an electrode.