Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field.

/pdf/science-and-technology-roadmap-for-graphene-related-two-4q9m7czlkc.pdf

Science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems

We demonstrate the efficient chemical vapor deposition synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes where the activity and lifetime of the catalysts are enhanced by water. Water-stimulated enhanced catalytic activity results in massive growth of superdense and vertically aligned nanotube forests with heights up to 2.5 millimeters that can be easily separated from the catalysts, providing nanotube material with carbon purity above 99.98%. Moreover, patterned, highly organized intrinsic nanotube structures were successfully fabricated. The water-assisted synthesis method addresses many critical problems that currently plague carbon nanotube synthesis.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/306/5700/1362.full.pdf

Water-Assisted Highly Efficient Synthesis of Impurity-Free Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

http://absimage.aps.org/image/MAR05/MWS_MAR05-2004-000692.pdf

Water-Assisted Highly Efficient Synthesis of Impurity-Free Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-``Super-Growth''

3.6.1. Polishing and Cleaning 2663 3.6.2. Vacuum and Heat Treatments 2664 3.6.3. Carbon Electrode Activation 2665 3.7. Summary and Generalizations 2666 4. Advanced Carbon Electrode Materials 2666 4.1. Microfabricated Carbon Thin Films 2666 4.2. Boron-Doped Diamond for Electrochemistry 2668 4.3. Fibers and Nanotubes 2669 4.4. Carbon Composite Electrodes 2674 5. Carbon Surface Modification 2675 5.1. Diazonium Ion Reduction 2675 5.2. Thermal and Photochemical Modifications 2679 5.3. Amine and Carboxylate Oxidation 2680 5.4. Modification by “Click” Chemistry 2681 6. Synopsis and Outlook 2681 7. Acknowledgments 2682 8. References 2682

/pdf/advanced-carbon-electrode-materials-for-molecular-2y6b22van0.pdf

Advanced carbon electrode materials for molecular electrochemistry.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), due to their unique electronic and extraordinary mechanical properties, have been receiving much attention for a wide variety of applications. Recently, plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) has emerged as a key growth technique to produce vertically-aligned nanotubes. This paper reviews various plasma sources currently used in CNT growth, catalyst preparation and growth results. Since the technology is in its early stages, there is a general lack of understanding of growth mechanisms, the role of the plasma itself, and the identity of key species responsible for growth. This review is aimed at the low temperature plasma research community that has successfully addressed such issues, through plasma and surface diagnostics and modelling, in semiconductor processing and diamond thin film growth.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0963-0252/12/2/312/pdf

Carbon nanotube growth by PECVD: a review

Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are being considered as thermal interface materials (TIMs). Using a phase sensitive transient thermo-reflectance technique, we measure the thermal conductance of the two interfaces on each side of a vertically aligned CNT array as well as the CNT array itself. We show that the physically bonded interface by van der Waals adhesion has a conductance ~105W/m2K and is the dominant resistance. We also demonstrate that by bonding the free-end CNT tips to a target surface with the help of a thin layer of indium weld, the conductance can be increased to ~106W/m2K making it attractive as a TIM

Dense Vertically Aligned Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Arrays as Thermal Interface Materials

A vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) array is fabricated as a nanoelectrode platform for biosensor development. Prior to chemical functionalization, metal catalyst particles at the ends of CNT are removed and the closed ends are opened. We find that the oxidative treatment for generating the chemical functional groups at the opened ends of the CNT compromise the mechanical stability of the nanotubes, often leading to total collapse of the aligned CNTs. To solve this problem, we have developed a new approach for filling the gaps between CNTs with a spin-on glass (SOG). Results from the coupling of nucleic acids to the CNT arrays suggest that the SOG enhances the reactivity by providing structural support to the CNTs. The SOG also covers the length of the sidewalls of CNTs, leading to a less hydrophobic interface and thus may aid in improving the chemical reactivity.

Preparation of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Arrays

We report on the electrochemical study of three carbon nanotube ensemble electrodes:  single-walled nanotube paper, as-produced multiwalled nanotube towers, and heat-treated multiwalled nanotube towers Cyclic voltammetry was used in 010 M KCl containing 50 mM K4Fe(CN)6 to obtain information on both the capacitive background and electron transfer rate from the faradaic reaction of the redox species The capacitance gives insight into the effective surface area (including both the exterior surface and the interior surface within the film) as well as the “pseudocapacitance” due to faradaic reactions of surface bonded oxides We found that a large portion of the carbon nanotube surface of the as-produced multiwalled nanotube tower electrode was blocked by amorphous carbon It can be largely removed by prolonged heat treatment Among the three types of samples, the single-walled nanotube paper electrode presented the largest volume specific capacitance, consistent with its highest carbon nanotube packing de

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Papers

Carbon nanotube growth by PECVD: a review

Dense Vertically Aligned Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Arrays as Thermal Interface Materials

Preparation of Nucleic Acid Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Novel Three-Dimensional Electrodes: Electrochemical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Ensembles

Multilayered metal catalysts for controlling the density of single-walled carbon nanotube growth