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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
TL;DR: In this article, a review deals with recent progress in the fabrication, microstructure, and energy storage performance of different carbon nanotube arrays (CNTAs) electrodes and their composites in electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries.
Abstract: One of the greatest challenges for our society is to provide powerful electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries are among the most promising candidates in terms of power- and energy-densities. The choice of electrode material is key to improving the performance of these energy conversion devices. Carbon nanotube arrays (CNTAs) and their composites show good capacity, excellent rate performance, and long cycle life when used as electrode materials because they present superior electronic conductivity, high surface area, developed porous structure, and robust properties. This review deals with recent progress in the fabrication, microstructure, and energy storage performance of different CNTA electrodes and their composites in electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries. In particular, representative examples of our CNTA-based electrodes are highlighted.

252 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The new composite electrode showed good activity toward hydrogen peroxide and NADH, with the possibility of fabricating a sensitive biosensor for glucose and alcohol using glucose oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase, respectively, by simply incorporating the specific enzyme within the composite matrix.
Abstract: A new composite electrode has been fabricated using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and the ionic liquid n-octylpyridinum hexafluorophosphate (OPFP). This electrode shows very attractive electrochemical performances compared to other conventional electrodes using graphite and mineral oil, notably improved sensitivity and stability. One major advantage of this electrode compared to other electrodes using carbon nanotubes and other ionic liquids is its extremely low capacitance and background currents. A 10% (w/w) loading of MWCNT was selected as the optimal composition based on voltammetric results, as well as the stability of the background response in solution. The new composite electrode showed good activity toward hydrogen peroxide and NADH, with the possibility of fabricating a sensitive biosensor for glucose and alcohol using glucose oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase, respectively, by simply incorporating the specific enzyme within the composite matrix. The marked electrode stability and antifouling features toward NADH oxidation was much higher for this composite compared to a bare glassy carbon electrode. While a loading of 2% MWCNT showed very poor electrochemical behavior, a large enhancement was observed upon gentle heating to 70 degrees C, which gave a response similar to the optimum composition of 10%. The ease of preparation, low background current, high sensitivity, stability, and small loading of nanotubes using this composite can create new novel avenues and applications for fabricating robust sensors and biosensors for many important species.

252 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There are three established methods of CNT synthesis: (i) arc discharge, (ii) laser ablation, and (iii) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as mentioned in this paper, which show the greatest promise for economically viable, large-scale synthesis, based upon yields reported in the literature and the inherent scalability of similar technologies.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are crystalline, tubular, carbon structures with extraordinary mechanical, chemical, optical, and electrical properties. These unique properties make CNTs potentially valuable in a wide range of end-use applications. Currently, research into nanotubes and their applications is hampered by the lack of a suitable technique for manufacturing them in large quantities, which we define here as 10 000 tons per plant per year. Consequently, research into large-scale manufacturing techniques is ongoing. There are three established methods of CNT synthesis: (i) arc discharge, (ii) laser ablation, and (iii) chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Of these, CVD techniques show the greatest promise for economically viable, large-scale synthesis, based upon yields reported in the literature and the inherent scalability of similar technologies, e.g., fluidized catalytic cracking. In particular, the fluidized-bed CVD (FBCVD) technique (where the CVD reaction occurs within a fluidized bed of catalyst par...

252 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a high-repetition-rate, high-power laser ablation of glassy carbon in the atmosphere is reported, which produces nanostructured magnetic carbon foam.
Abstract: We report production of nanostructured magnetic carbon foam by a high-repetition-rate, high-power laser ablation of glassy carbon in $\mathrm{Ar}$ atmosphere. A combination of characterization techniques revealed that the system contains both $s{p}^{2}$ and $s{p}^{3}$ bonded carbon atoms. The material is a form of carbon containing graphite-like sheets with hyperbolic curvature, as proposed for ``schwarzite.'' The foam exhibits ferromagnetic-like behavior up to $90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, with a narrow hysteresis curve and a high saturation magnetization. Such magnetic properties are very unusual for a carbon allotrope. Detailed analysis excludes impurities as the origin of the magnetic signal. We postulate that localized unpaired spins occur because of topological and bonding defects associated with the sheet curvature, and that these spins are stabilized due to the steric protection offered by the convoluted sheets.

251 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on single nanoparticle detection using optical whispering gallery microcavities and photonic crystal microc Cavities, both of which have been developing rapidly over the past few years.
Abstract: Detection of nanoscale objects is highly desirable in various fields such as early-stage disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring and homeland security. Optical microcavity sensors are renowned for ultrahigh sensitivities due to strongly enhanced light-matter interaction. This review focuses on single nanoparticle detection using optical whispering gallery microcavities and photonic crystal microcavities, both of which have been developing rapidly over the past few years. The reactive and dissipative sensing methods, characterized by light-analyte interactions, are explained explicitly. The sensitivity and the detection limit are essentially determined by the cavity properties, and are limited by the various noise sources in the measurements. On the one hand, recent advances include significant sensitivity enhancement using techniques to construct novel microcavity structures with reduced mode volumes, to localize the mode field, or to introduce optical gain. On the other hand, researchers attempt to lower the detection limit by improving the spectral resolution, which can be implemented by suppressing the experimental noises. We also review the methods of achieving a better temporal resolution by employing mode locking techniques or cavity ring up spectroscopy. In conclusion, outlooks on the possible ways to implement microcavity-based sensing devices and potential applications are provided.

250 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