Ethylene glycol reflux synthesis of carbon nanotube/ceria core-shell nanowires

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/ceria core-shell nanowires were prepared facilely on a large scale under the boiling reflux of ethylene glycol. The composites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction as well as Fourier transformed infrared spectra. It is found that the entire outer surface of CNTs is fully sheathed with a dense layer of uniform nanosized CeO₂, and that the thickness of the coating sheath can be readily manipulated by tuning the molar ratio of ceria to CNTs. Finally, a possible formation mechanism has been suggested as follows: with the high reaction temperature, ethylene glycol is partially converted to oxalic acid, and the surface hydroxyl groups of CeO₂ tiny particles react with oxalic acid to form the polymer-like inorganic-organic compounds. Subsequently, in view of the low-energy point, the polymer-like inorganic-organic compounds are coated on the surface of CNTs, and thus CNTs/ceria core-shell composites are obtained.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composites using organometallic-functionalized carbon nanotubes

Thorn-like, organometallic-functionalized carbon nanotubes were successfully developed via a novel microwave hydrothermal route. The organometallic complex with methyl orange and iron (III) chloride served as reactive seed template, resulting in the oriented polymerization of pyrrole on the modified carbon nanotubes without the assistance of other oxidants. Morphological and structural characterizations of the carbon nanotube/methyl orange-iron (III) chloride and polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composites were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical property of the polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composite was elucidated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge. A specific capacitance of 304 F g⁻¹ was obtained within the potential range of −0.5-0.5 V in 1 M KCl solution.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell europium(III)-silica nanoparticles

Luminescent core-shell europium(III)-silica nanoparticles were prepared using europium(III) chelate core structure and polyvinylpyrrolidone synthesis strategy for silica shell. Europium(III):naphtoyltrifluoroacetone:trioctylphosphineoxide complex was spontaneously agglomerated from organic solvent to water. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was adsorbed onto the core structure and stable silica shell was synthesized using tetraethylorthosilicate. Nanosized particles with a diameter of 71 ± 5 nm and 11 nm shell thickness were obtained with fluorescence decay rate of 517 μs and excitation and emission wavelengths of 334 and 614 nm, respectively.     

表面活性剂辅助固相法合成碘化银纳米线束与光谱表征

卤化银具有光致变色特性,广泛应用于光致变色玻璃,照相感光乳剂等。作为一种光信息载体,具有记录和保存光信息的功能,它还是一类重要的半导体光催化剂,有着广泛的应用。以AgNO3与KI为原料,在非离子表面活性剂聚乙二醇(PEG-400)存在条件下,进行室温固相反应,合成了碘化银纳米线束。采用XRD,TEM和SEM等测试手段对产物结构和形貌进行表征,结果表明,产物为一维碘化银纳米线束,其直径在80～100nm之间,长度约为20μm,长径比>200。表面活性剂PEG-400在碘化银纳米线束的形成过程中起到了软模板剂的作用,诱导产物纳米晶沿着某一特定方向定向有序生长从而生成纳米线束。该方法消除了水对反应过程的影响,操作简单,成本较低,对碘化银纳米线束的制备技术研究具有重要意义。     

Controllable synthesis and highly efficient electrocatalytic oxidation performance of SnO2/CNT core-shell structures

In this work, the nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with nanosized uninterrupted SnO₂, were prepared controllably by a facile solvothermal method. The obtained nanocomposites have a thin overlayer which is made of nanoparticles with a diameter of ∼3 nm. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained SnO₂/CNTs have an excellent electrocatalytic oxidation performance for the X-3B, a kind of dye. The parameters affecting the electrocatalytic activity were investigated in details. The excellent catalytic property of the SnO₂/CNT electrodes can be explained as follows: (1) high specific surface area gives more active sites for X-3B oxidation; (2) the formation of thin, uniform, and uninterrupted coverage of SnO₂ nanoparticles on CNTs raises the potential of oxygen evolution and the current efficiency; and (3) the CNTs increase the conductivity of the electrodes, which results in the increase of the current efficiency.     

Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis and electrochemical characterization of gold/carbon nanotube composites

Hybrid nanostructures composed of gold nanoparticles (NPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been prepared by a microwave-assisted method in the mixed solvents of oleylamine and oleic. The morphology, structure and composition of as-obtained Au/CNT composites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD). The composites show characteristic plasmon absorption of Au NPs in the Ultraviolet–visual spectrum. Fourier transform infrared spectrum shows the successful introduction of functional groups on the surface of CNTs, which are crucial factors to assist the nucleation in situ of Au NPs on the surface of CNTs. Electrochemical measurements show the enhancement electrochemical response for the gold electrode modified with Au/CNT composites.     

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube cathodes produced using composite plating

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube field emission cathodes (CNT-FECs) produced using composite plating are studied. The experiment uses a CNT suspension and electroless Ni plating bath to carry out composite plating. The CNTs were first purified by an acid solution, dispersed in a Ni electrobath, and finally co-deposited with Ni on glass substrates to synthesize electrically conductive films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy results show that the field emission characteristics and graphitic properties of CNT-FECs depend on the pH value of the electrobath. Experiments show that the optimum electrobath pH value is 5.4, achieving a field emission current density of 1.0 mA/cm² at an applied electric field of 1.5 V/μm. The proposed CNT-FECs possess good field emission characteristics and have potential for backlight unit application in liquid crystal displays.     

Behavior of H2O molecule in carbon nanotube/boron nitride nanotube heterostructure

We perform total-energy electronic-structure calculations of a water molecule inside a (7, 7) carbon nanotube/boron nitride nanotube (CNT/BNNT) heterojunction. The van der Waals interaction is also considered in this study. We find that the equilibrium distance between the water molecule and the wall of the CNT (BNNT) is ≈ 3.3 Å, and the encapsulation energy is 0.22 eV (0.25 eV). The energy profile along the tube axis exhibits a dramatic change in the vicinity of the heterojunction. A speed change of water flow is expected to occur near the heterojunction. Such information would provide valuable insight in nanostructure design for nanofluidics.     

Imaging characterization of carbon nanotube tips modified using a focused ion beam

A carbon nanotube (CNT) tip, which assembled on the sharp end of a Si tip by dielectrophoresis, was structurally modified using focused ion beam (FIB). We described the imaging characterization of the FIB-modified CNT tip in noncontact AFM mode in terms of wear, deep trench accessibility, and imaging resolution. Compared to a conventional Si tip, the FIB-modified CNT tip was superior, especially for prolonged scanning over 10 h. We conclude that modified CNT tips have the potential to obtain high-quality images of nanoscale structures.     

Structural and surface features of multiwall carbon nanotube

We present the direct evidence of defective and disorder places on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), visualizing the presence of amorphous carbon at those sites. These defective surfaces being higher in energy are the key features of functionalization with different materials. The interaction of the π orbital electrons of different carbon atoms of adjacent layers is more at the bent portion, than that of regular portion of the CNT. Hence the tubular structure of the bent portion of nanotubes is spaced more than that of regular portion of the nanotubes, minimizing the stress.     

Preparation and characterization of antibacterial Au/C core-shell composite

An environment-friendly oxidation-reduction method was used to prepare Au/C core-shell composite using carbon as core and gold as shell. The chemical structures and morphologies of Au/C core-shell composite and carbon sphere were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersion X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The antibacterial properties of the Au/C core-shell composite against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were examined by the disk diffusion assay and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) methods. In addition, antibacterial ability of Au/C core-shell composite was observed by atomic force microscope. Results demonstrated that gold homogeneously supported on the surface of carbon spheres without aggregation and showed efficient antibacterial abilities.     

Preparation of large-area double-walled carbon nanotube films and application as film heater

Large-area (larger than 30×30 cm²) double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) films are prepared and application as a heating element for film heaters is demonstrated. A high heating efficiency is observed. Measurements indicate that the use of the DWCNT film heater would save energy consumption up to 20–30% when compared with a commercial film-like metal-based heater. Morphological analysis reveals that the special surface structure, appropriate electric and high thermal conductivities of the film formed by the network of entangled nanotube bundles may lead to the high heating performance. Considering large-area, shape flexibility, negligible weight and easy manipulation, the film exhibits promising potential applications as a film heater for thermal control in aircrafts, medical equipment, home appliances and other industrial fields at low temperature (below 400 °C).     

New nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotube and polymer

Metal-carbon nanotube-graft-polymer (MCNT-g-P) nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized successfully. In this work, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were opened using HNO₃/H₂SO₄ mixture and filled by metal nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles through wet chemistry method. Then MWCNT containing metal nanoparticles were used as macroinitiator for ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and MCNT-g-P nanocomposites were obtained. Length of grafted polymer arms onto the MWCNT was controlled using MWCNT/ε-caprolactone ratio. Structure and properties of nanocomposites were evaluated by TEM, DSC, TGA, and spectroscopy methods.     

Enhanced interfacial strength of carbon nanotube/copper nanocomposites via Ni-coating: Molecular-dynamics insights

The molecular bridging between carbon nanotube (CNT) within the meta matrix is hopeful for enhancing nanocomposite's mechanical performance. One of the main problems for nanocomposites is the inadequate bonding between nonstructural reinforcement and meta matrix. Ni-coating on CNT is an effective method to overcome the drawback of the inadequate strength, but the enhancing mechanism has not well interpreted yet. In this paper, the enhancing mechanism will be interpreted from the molecular-dynamics insights. The pullout process of CNT and Ni-coated CNT against copper matrix is investigated. The effects of geometric parameters, including CNT length and diameter, are taken into considerations and discussed. Results show that the interfacial strength is significantly improved after the Ni-coated CNT, which shows a good agreement with the experimental results available in the open literature. Besides, the sliding mechanism of Ni-coated CNTs against copper matrix is much more like a kind of friction sliding and directly related to the embedded zone. However, the pullout force of the CNT without Ni-coating is nearly proportional to its diameter, but independent of embedded length.     

Fabrication of composite structure of carbon fibers and high density SiC nanowires

Composite structure of carbon fibers and SiC nanowires was fabricated by a simple chemical vapor deposition process, using commercial silicon dioxide and graphite powders as raw materials. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction indicates that the synthesized SiC nanowires distribute uniformly with high density in the used carbon fiber preform, which are perpendicular to and around each carbon fiber in a radial array. The SiC nanowires located at the interface of advanced composites is very favorable to the interfacial bonding between composites matrix and carbon fibers, thereby increasing the strength of composites greatly.     

碳纳米管的生长机理、可控生长及应用探索

碳纳米管的可控制生长,及其宏观尺度结构的制备,对于碳纳米管的应用具有重要的意义,为了实现准确的生长控制,对碳纳米管生长机理的深入了解是不可缺少的前提条件.文章介绍了我们近年来在碳纳米管生长机理、可控生长及其应用方面的一些进展.通过引入^13C标记法,我们证实了化学气相沉积法中碳纳米管以析出模式生长;实时改变生长的气相成份和流量,可以在碳纳米管阵列上留下标记序列,并据此测量出其生长速率及活化能.将超顺排碳纳米管阵列的合成扩展到4英寸规模,并发展了用挥发性有机溶剂处理碳纳米管线的方法,大大提高了其强度和可操作性.处理后的碳纳米管线可以方便地用于热电子源、高电流密度冷阴极以及荧光灯等.热界面材料在IT产业中具有重要的应用背景,我们用碳纳米管阵列制备的复合材料具有极高的热导率和极低的界面热阻,同时发展了化学修饰、端部剪裁、金属集热层等新技术以制备高性能的碳纳米管热界面材料.     

Amino functionalization of carbon nanotube surfaces with NH3 plasma treatment

NH₃ plasma treatment of carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces was performed with the purpose of incorporating amino groups onto the surface. Amino groups incorporated onto the CNT surface were indentified and quantified using chemical derivatization with pentafluorobenzaldehyde and subsequent characterization with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The amount of incorporated amino groups reached a maximum value with increasing plasma power. The incorporation of amino groups was seriously affected by the degradation of the CNT surface during the plasma treatment, which became very serious at high plasma power, as verified with optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and FT-IR analyses. The type of species present in the plasma discharge also seems to be important for amino group functionalization; partially decomposed ammonia species are considered to be more favorable than fully decomposed atomic species.     

碳纳米管的生长机理、可控生长及应用探索

碳纳米管的可控制生长,及其宏观尺度结构的制备,对于碳纳米管的应用具有重要的意义,为了实现准确的生长控制,对碳纳米管生长机理的深入了解是不可缺少的前提条件.文章介绍了我们近年来在碳纳米管生长机理、可控生长及其应用方面的一些进展.通过引入13C标记法,我们证实了化学气相沉积法中碳纳米管以析出模式生长;实时改变生长的气相成份和流量,可以在碳纳米管阵列上留下标记序列,并据此测量出其生长速率及活化能.将超顺排碳纳米管阵列的合成扩展到4英寸规模,并发展了用挥发性有机溶剂处理碳纳米管线的方法,大大提高了其强度和可操作性.处理后的碳纳米管线可以方便地用于热电子源、高电流密度冷阴极以及荧光灯等.热界面材料在IT产业中具有重要的应用背景,我们用碳纳米管阵列制备的复合材料具有极高的热导率和极低的界面热阻,同时发展了化学修饰、端部剪裁、金属集热层等新技术以制备高性能的碳纳米管热界面材料.     

Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence studies of a novel europium complex based sensor

A novel europium(III) complex was synthesized using TTA (α-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) as the first ligand and H₂bpdc (2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate) as the second ligand. Elemental analysis, thermal analysis, IR and UV–vis spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of the europium(III) complex were carried out. A characteristic Eu³⁺ fluorescence emission was observed in ethanol–water (1:1) solution, indicating that the complex is stable in solution and the emission of Eu(III) ions was not influenced by the water molecules. The fluorescence emission of the complex was quenched completely by the Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, but the quenched emission was recovered in the presence of glycine. Moreover, the Eu³⁺ emission was very sensitive to pH, so the complex can be used as pH-dependent fluorescence probe or chemosensors.     

Polyoxometalates nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and carbon nanotube modification

In this paper, we described a large-scale synthesis method of the polyoxometalates (POMs) nanoparticles and the modification of carbon nanotube (CNTs) through a chemical modified approach. Four types of POMs nanoparticles were prepared by a one-step solid-state reaction at room temperature and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, XRD and TEM. These uniform nanoparticles have an average size of 8-10 nm. Furthermore, based on chemical adsorption between POMs and carboxylic acid groups, which were introduced to the CNTs by adding dilute nitric acid, POMs nanoparticles were successfully located on the CNTs as the modifier.