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Journal ArticleDOI

Carbon Nanotubes--the Route Toward Applications

02 Aug 2002-Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science)-Vol. 297, Iss: 5582, pp 787-792
TL;DR: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects.
Abstract: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects. Some of these applications are now realized in products. Others are demonstrated in early to advanced devices, and one, hydrogen storage, is clouded by controversy. Nanotube cost, polydispersity in nanotube type, and limitations in processing and assembly methods are important barriers for some applications of single-walled nanotubes.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 2015-Carbon
TL;DR: The surface immobilization of bio-molecules, including proteins, peptides, and enzymes, is reviewed, and the recent advances in synthesis and applications of these conjugates are presented.

177 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple approach to deposit multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) networks onto glass fiber surfaces achieving semiconductive MWNT-glass fibers is reported, along with application of fiber/polymer interphases as insitu multifunctional sensors.
Abstract: A simple approach to deposit multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) networks onto glass fiber surfaces achieving semiconductive MWNT-glass fibers is reported, along with application of fiber/polymer interphases as insitu multifunctional sensors. This approach demonstrates for the first time that the techniques of conducting electrical resistance measurements could be applicable to glass fibers for in situ sensing of strain and damage; the techniques were previously limited to conductive and semiconductive materials. The electrical properties of the single MWNT―glass fiber and the "unidirectional" fiber/epoxy composite show linear or nonlinear stress/ strain, temperature, and relative humidity dependencies, which are capable of detecting piezoresistive effects as well as the local glass transition temperature. The unidirectional composites containing MWNT-glass fibers exhibit ultrahigh anisotropic electrical properties and an ultralow electrical percolation threshold. Based on this approach, the glass fiber—the most widely used reinforcement in composites globally—along with the surface electrical conductivity of MWNTs will stimulate and realize a broad range of multifunctional applications.

177 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that highly oriented 50-nm-thick semi-transparent CNT sheets and yarns, produced with a minimal residual content of catalytic transition materials, support the long-term growth of a variety of cell types ranging from skin fibroblasts and Schwann cells, to postnatal cortical and cerebellar neurons.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique chemical and physical properties anticipated to enable broad novel biomedical applications. Yet the question concerning their biocompatibility remains controversial. We recently reported a method for rapidly preparing strong, highly electrically conducting sheets and yarns from multi-walled CNTs. The present studies demonstrate that highly oriented 50-nm-thick semi-transparent CNT sheets and yarns, produced with a minimal residual content of catalytic transition materials, support the long-term growth of a variety of cell types ranging from skin fibroblasts and Schwann cells, to postnatal cortical and cerebellar neurons. We show that CNT sheets stimulate fibroblast cell migration compared to plastic and glass culture substrates; entice neuronal growth to the level of those achieved on polyornithine-coated glass and can be used for directed cellular growth. These findings have positive implications for the use of CNTs in applications such as tissue engineering, wound hea...

176 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
22 Apr 2008-Langmuir
TL;DR: Evidence suggests that electrostatic stabilization is inefficient in ILs because of the high ionic atmosphere and the resulting surface-charge screening, and effective steric stabilization is important for obtaining stable colloidal particles inILs.
Abstract: The colloidal stability of bare and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-grafted silica nanoparticles was studied in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([Cnmim])-based ionic liquids (ILs) with different anion

176 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a scalable method of AC electrodeposition into porous aluminum oxide templates, which produces gram quantities of metal nanowires ca. 25 nm in diameter and up to 5 and 10 μm in length for Ag and Cu, respectively.
Abstract: Silver and copper nanowires have been synthesized using a scalable method of AC electrodeposition into porous aluminum oxide templates, which produces gram quantities of metal nanowires ca. 25 nm in diameter and up to 5 and 10 μm in length for Ag and Cu, respectively. The nanowires have been used to prepare polystyrene nanocomposites by solution processing. Electrical resistivity measurements performed on polymer nanocomposites containing different volume fractions of metal indicate that low percolation thresholds of nanowires are attained between compositions of 0.25 and 0.75 vol %.

176 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
28 Jan 2000-Science
TL;DR: The nanotubes sensors exhibit a fast response and a substantially higher sensitivity than that of existing solid-state sensors at room temperature and the mechanisms of molecular sensing with nanotube molecular wires are investigated.
Abstract: Chemical sensors based on individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are demonstrated. Upon exposure to gaseous molecules such as NO 2 or NH 3 , the electrical resistance of a semiconducting SWNT is found to dramatically increase or decrease. This serves as the basis for nanotube molecular sensors. The nanotube sensors exhibit a fast response and a substantially higher sensitivity than that of existing solid-state sensors at room temperature. Sensor reversibility is achieved by slow recovery under ambient conditions or by heating to high temperatures. The interactions between molecular species and SWNTs and the mechanisms of molecular sensing with nanotube molecular wires are investigated.

5,908 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 1998-Nature
TL;DR: In this paper, the fabrication of a three-terminal switching device at the level of a single molecule represents an important step towards molecular electronics and has attracted much interest, particularly because it could lead to new miniaturization strategies in the electronics and computer industry.
Abstract: The use of individual molecules as functional electronic devices was first proposed in the 1970s (ref 1) Since then, molecular electronics2,3 has attracted much interest, particularly because it could lead to conceptually new miniaturization strategies in the electronics and computer industry The realization of single-molecule devices has remained challenging, largely owing to difficulties in achieving electrical contact to individual molecules Recent advances in nanotechnology, however, have resulted in electrical measurements on single molecules4,5,6,7 Here we report the fabrication of a field-effect transistor—a three-terminal switching device—that consists of one semiconducting8,9,10 single-wall carbon nanotube11,12 connected to two metal electrodes By applying a voltage to a gate electrode, the nanotube can be switched from a conducting to an insulating state We have previously reported5 similar behaviour for a metallic single-wall carbon nanotube operated at extremely low temperatures The present device, in contrast, operates at room temperature, thereby meeting an important requirement for potential practical applications Electrical measurements on the nanotube transistor indicate that its operation characteristics can be qualitatively described by the semiclassical band-bending models currently used for traditional semiconductor devices The fabrication of the three-terminal switching device at the level of a single molecule represents an important step towards molecular electronics

5,258 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
26 Jul 1996-Science
TL;DR: X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy showed that fullerene single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) are nearly uniform in diameter and that they self-organize into “ropes,” which consist of 100 to 500 SWNTs in a two-dimensional triangular lattice with a lattice constant of 17 angstroms.
Abstract: The major part of this chapter has already appeared in [1], but because of the length restrictions (in Science), the discussion on why we think this form is given in only brief detail. This chapter goes into more depth to try to answer the questions of why the fullerenes form themselves. This is another example of the very special behavior of carbon. From a chemist’s standpoint, it is carbon’s ability to form multiple bonds that allows it to make these low dimensional forms rather than to produce tetrahedral forms. Carbon can readily accomplish this and it is in the mathematics and physics of the way this universe was put together, that carbon is given this property. One of the consequences of this property is that, if left to its own devices as carbon condenses from the vapor and if the temperature range is just right, above 1000°C, but lower than 1400°C, there is an efficient self-assembly process whose endpoint is C60.

5,215 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
26 Sep 1997-Science
TL;DR: In this paper, the Young's modulus, strength, and toughness of nanostructures are evaluated using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) approach. And the results showed that the strength of the SiC NRs were substantially greater than those found previously for larger SiC structures, and they approach theoretical values.
Abstract: The Young's modulus, strength, and toughness of nanostructures are important to proposed applications ranging from nanocomposites to probe microscopy, yet there is little direct knowledge of these key mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the mechanical properties of individual, structurally isolated silicon carbide (SiC) nanorods (NRs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) that were pinned at one end to molybdenum disulfide surfaces. The bending force was measured versus displacement along the unpinned lengths. The MWNTs were about two times as stiff as the SiC NRs. Continued bending of the SiC NRs ultimately led to fracture, whereas the MWNTs exhibited an interesting elastic buckling process. The strengths of the SiC NRs were substantially greater than those found previously for larger SiC structures, and they approach theoretical values. Because of buckling, the ultimate strengths of the stiffer MWNTs were less than those of the SiC NRs, although the MWNTs represent a uniquely tough, energy-absorbing material.

4,627 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power of a single carbon nanotube were measured using a microfabricated suspended device and shows linear temperature dependence with a value of 80 microV/K at room temperature.
Abstract: The thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power of a single carbon nanotube were measured using a microfabricated suspended device. The observed thermal conductivity is more than 3000 W/K m at room temperature, which is 2 orders of magnitude higher than the estimation from previous experiments that used macroscopic mat samples. The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of nanotubes exhibits a peak at 320 K due to the onset of umklapp phonon scattering. The measured thermoelectric power shows linear temperature dependence with a value of 80 microV/K at room temperature.

3,166 citations