Bamboo-shaped Carbon Nanotubes Research Articles

The microwave sensing of DNA hybridization using carbon nanotubes decorated with gold nanoislands

The hybridization of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is detected with the help of electromagnetic band gap resonator. The resonance frequency of the unloaded resonator f0=16.07 GHz is shifted to the left at 11.49 GHz when the resonator is loaded with single-stranded DNA anchored to gold nanoislands decorating bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes deposited on the resonator. Further, single stranded DNA is hybridized and the resonator frequency is shifted to 14.16 GHz for double-stranded DNA. So, the frequency span of the two DNA states are separated by a span of 2.6 GHz in the band 11.5-16.07 GHz due to the very different electrical permittivity values of single- and double-stranded DNA. Thus, the hybridization of DNA is detected unambiguously.

Formation of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes on carbon black in a fluidized bed

For the first time, bamboo-shaped multiwalled carbon nanotubes, having diameter of the order of 50 nm, have been grown on carbon black in a fluidized bed in bulk amount. The activation energy for the synthesis of the product was found out to be around 33 kJ/mol in the temperature range of 700−900 °C. The carbon nanotubes were separated from the carbon black by preferential oxidation of the later, the temperature of which was determined by thermogravimetry. The transmission electron microscopy revealed different features of the nanotubes such as “Y” junction, bend, and catalyst filling inside the nanotubes. Small angle neutron scattering was performed on the nanotubes synthesized at different temperatures. The data were fitted into a suitable model in order to find out the average diameter, which decreases with increase in synthesis temperature. The Monte Carlo simulation predicts the same behavior. Based on the above observations, a possible growth mechanism has been predicted. The oscillation in carbon saturation value inside the catalyst in the fluidized bed has been indicated as the responsible factor for the bamboo-shaped structure.

Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes generated by methane thermal decomposition using Ni nanoparticles synthesized in water–oil emulsions

Ni nanoparticles were synthesized using two water-in-oil emulsions formulated with different surfactants and using n-heptane as the organic phase and aqueous nickel acetate as the catalytic metallic precursor. Characterization by transmission electron microscopy showed that the Ni nanoparticles have diameters ranging from 3 to 12 nm, and that the surface is lightly oxidized. The decomposition of diluted methane catalyzed by the as-prepared Ni nanoparticles was studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), operated in the 25–930 °C range. The weight gains measured during the analysis showed that the Ni nanoparticles decomposed methane above 480 °C, producing similar g.C/g.cat ratios (6–7) at the end of the tests. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed that the carbons collected at 930 °C were bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BSCNTs) with well defined conical compartments. The average outside diameter of the tubes was between 30 and 60 nm.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase immobilized on bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes/chitosan matrix

The novel nitrogen doped bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) have received increased attention in recent years because of its unique bamboo shaped structure associated properties. In this work, a nanocomposite film of bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes/chitosan (Chi) is used for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The structure of BCNTs is observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The composite films are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of HRP incorporated into bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes/chitosan matrix is also investigated in this work. The immobilized HRP onto the BCNTs/Chi film exhibits its bioelectrocatalytic activity to hydrogen peroxide. The results indicate that doping N atom introduces defective sites and active sites on the surface of carbon nanotubes, thereby facilitating the direct electron transfer (DET) between enzyme and electrode.

Catalytic Graphitization of Phenolic Resin

The catalytic graphitization of thermal plastic phenolic-formaldehyde resin with the aid of ferric nitrate (FN) was studied in detail. The morphologies and structural features of the products including onion-like carbon nanoparticles and bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements. It was found that with the changes of loading content of FN and residence time at 1000°C, the products exhibited various morphologies. The TEM images showed that bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube consisted of tens of bamboo sticks and onion-like carbon nanoparticle was made up of quasi-spherically concentrically closed carbon nanocages.

Preparation and electrochemical properties of nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes

High yield bamboo-shaped N-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), containing 2.27 at.% N, were fabricated by pyrolysis of pyridine at 800 °C in an Ar atmosphere. The electrochemical capacitive performances of this type of carbon fiber were evaluated in 6 M KOH aqueous solution. The specific capacitance of N-doped MWNT electrode is measured to be 44.3 F/g at the charge/discharge current of 1 mA, which is two times greater than that of the undoped one (19.9 F/g). The measurements also reveal that the N-doped MWNT electrode possesses lower equivalent series resistance (0.24 Ω) and higher knee frequency (1995 Hz) than the undoped one. This improvement is attributed to the unique morphology and electronic properties of N-doped MWNTs.

General hypothesis and shell model for the synthesis of semiconductor nanotubes, including carbon nanotubes

Semiconductor nanotubes, including carbon nanotubes, have vast potential for new technology development. The fundamental physics and growth kinetics of these nanotubes are still obscured. Various models developed to elucidate the growth suffer from limited applicability. An in-depth investigation of the fundamentals of nanotube growth has, therefore, been carried out. For this investigation, various features of nanotube growth, and the role of the foreign element catalytic agent (FECA) in this growth, have been considered. Observed growth anomalies have been analyzed. Based on this analysis, a new shell model and a general hypothesis have been proposed for the growth. The essential element of the shell model is the seed generated from segregation during growth. The seed structure has been defined, and the formation of droplet from this seed has been described. A modified definition of the droplet exhibiting adhesive properties has also been presented. Various characteristics of the droplet, required for alignment and organization of atoms into tubular forms, have been discussed. Employing the shell model, plausible scenarios for the formation of carbon nanotubes, and the variation in the characteristics of these carbon nanotubes have been articulated. The experimental evidences, for example, for the formation of shell around a core, dipole characteristics of the seed, and the existence of nanopores in the seed, have been presented. They appear to justify the validity of the proposed model. The diversities of nanotube characteristics, fundamentals underlying the creation of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes, and the impurity generation on the surface of carbon nanotubes have been elucidated. The catalytic action of FECA on growth has been quantified. The applicability of the proposed model to the nanotube growth by a variety of mechanisms has been elaborated. These mechanisms include the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, the oxide-assisted growth mechanism, the self-catalytic growth mechanism, and the vapor-quasiliquid-solid mechanism. The model appears to explain most, if not all, of the experimental findings reported to date on semiconductor nanotubes. It addresses various issues related to the uniqueness of the single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotube growths; it explains why almost all carbon nanotubes are grown at a temperature between 800 and 1000 °C; and why metals, semiconductors, oxides, and clusters serve almost equally well as FECAs to achieve these growths.

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Fabricated by Electrospinning of Acrylonitrile/Nylon Solution and Subsequent Carbonization

The poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) nanofiber web interpenetrated nylon-6 nanofiber supporters were prepared by electrospinning of an acrylonitrile (AN)/nylon-6 solution. It was realized that the average diameters of PAN and nylon-6 nanofiber were 20 and 100 nm, respectively, and that the PAN nanofibers constructed spider-mat networks which were supported by the robust nylon-6 nanofiber pillars. After stabilization and carbonization above 600 degrees C, both hollow-shaped and bamboo-shaped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were formed with the diameter range from 5 to 20 nm. The morphology and structure of MWCNTs had been further investigated by the combination techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental analyzer (EA).

Electrocatalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles on bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes for ethanol oxidation

Recently, bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) have received increased attention for its bamboo shaped structure associated properties and its application in direct methanol/ethanol fuel cell. In this work, the potential to use BCNTs as the support material of high loaded Pt nanoparticles for improving the efficiency of ethanol/methanol fuel cell is explored. The structure and nature of the resulting Pt-BCNTS composite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum, it was found that Pt nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed on the BCNTs surfaces with 23.5% by weight. Cyclic voltammogram (CV) indicated that the Pt-BCNTs catalyst displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability toward ethanol oxidation. The excellent performance may be attributed to the high dispersion of nanoscale Pt catalysts and the unique nature of BCNTs. The results imply that doping N atom introduces some defective sites and active sites onto the surface of CNTs. In general, this paper demonstrates that BCNTs are promising support material for Pt-nanoparticles catalyst and can be used to enhance the efficiency of fuel cell.

Elastic and electrostatic properties of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes

A technology has been developed to synthesize films of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes from simple nanotubes by high-frequency oxygen plasma etching for 30 and 60 s. The electronic structure and mechanical properties of bamboo-shaped single-walled carbon nanotubes have been studied theoretically. Compartments in these structures are located at an optimum distance that corresponds to a decrease in the ionization potential and an improvement of the emission properties. It has been revealed that the Young’s and torsion moduli of the bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes depend on the number of compartments. These tubes have their own dipole moments in contrast to the hollow defect-free tubes. It has been shown that bamboo-shaped nanotubes 1.37 nm in diameter are the most stable nanoclusters.

Fabrication of carbon nanofibres and bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes with open ends from anthracite coal by arc discharge

Bamboo-like carbon nanotube(BCNTs) with open ends,and carbon nanofibers(CNFs) were prepared from a coal-based carbon rod by a DC arc discharge.The coal-based carbon rod was made by carbonizing Chinese Bai-Yang-Shu anthracite with coal tar and pitch as binder.The BCNTs and CNFs were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectroscopy,and X-ray diffraction.It is found that BCNTs and CNFs grow as a deposit on the anode at a low helium pressure of 0.020MPa with the coal-based carbon rod as anode.Most of the BCNTs have an open end and a diameter of 50nm.CNFs with a diameter of 30-50nm form fluffy balls on the surface of the remaining anode.

Bamboo and Herringbone Shaped Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibres Synthesized in Direct Current-Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition

Carbon nanotubes with different structures were catalytically synthesized on Ni coated SiO2/Si substrate in a Direct Current Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition system, in which C2H2 acted as the carbon source and NH3 as the etchant gas. A Scanning Electron Microscope study showed that carbon nanotubes were all vertically aligned with respect to the substrate, with diameters ranging from 10 nm to 200 nm. Different sizes of Ni catalyst particles were observed on the tips of carbon nanotubes. Transmission Electron Microscopy was used to study the morphology of the grown tubes and the results obtained show that the diameters and structures of these carbon nanotubes were closely correlated to the sizes and structures of the Ni nanoparticles. Two main structures namely bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes and herringbone shaped carbon nanofibres were found on the same sample. It is suggested that by controlling the pre-growth condition, desired structure of carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibres could be produced for practical applications.

Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles by pentagon defects introduced in bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube support and their enhanced catalytic activity on methanol oxidation

Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs), which were synthesized through chemical vapor deposition by using cresol as the carbon source, were explored as Pt catalyst support in comparison with conventional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Vulcan XC carbon blacks. The pyrolysis of cresol produced a large amount of pentagon defects introduced in the walls of BCNTs, which could possess higher chemical activity and stronger interaction with metal particles. After a mild purification, the BCNTs exhibited more oxygen-containing functional groups than CNTs, as shown by Fourier transform infrared spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The formed oxygen-containing functional groups as well as the pentagon defects could act as uniform active sites for metal particle loading. By ethylene glycol reduction, highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution of 2–3 nm were easily supported on BCNTs, as shown by transmission electron microscope. The Pt/BCNT catalyst showed higher electro-catalytic activity on the methanol oxidation than the Pt/CNT and Pt/Vulcan XC catalyst, which could be largely ascribed to the highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles due to the introduced pentagon defects in the tube-walls (comparing with Pt/CNT) and the graphitic nanotube network that could provide good electron conduction (comparing with Pt/Vulcan XC).

High loading of Pt–Ru nanocatalysts by pentagon defects introduced in a bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube support for high performance anode of direct methanol fuel cells

Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs), with a large amount of pentagon defects introduced in the walls, were explored as the support of high loaded Pt–Ru catalysts for the anode of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) in comparison with conventional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Vulcan XC carbon black. By ethylene glycol reduction, Pt–Ru catalysts with a high loading (60 wt%) and uniform particle size of 2–3 nm were uniformly deposited on BCNTs; while 60 wt% Pt–Ru catalysts on CNTs resulted in significant agglomeration. The Pt–Ru/BCNT catalyst showed the highest activity on methanol oxidation in cyclic voltammetry and highest performance as the anode in a DMFC single cell. Such an enhancement was largely ascribed to an enhanced interaction of the introduced pentagon defects with Pt–Ru, which could promote a high loading and well dispersion of Pt–Ru catalysts and the charge transfer from Pt–Ru to the tubes.

Growth of Y-junction bamboo-shaped CN x nanotubes on GaAs substrate using single feedstock

Nitrogen-doped Y-junction bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of monoethanolamine/ferrocene mixture on GaAs substrate at 950 °C. The use of monoethanolamine as the C/N feedstock simplifies the experimental arrangement by producing ammonia during the growth process. The structure, morphology and graphitization of as-grown nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (CN x ) were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy analysis. TEM analysis indicates that nanotubes have a bamboo-like structure. The nitrogen concentration on as-grown CN x nanotube was found to be 7.8 at.% by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. XPS analysis also indicated that there are two different types of nitrogen atoms (pyridinic and graphitic) in these materials. The possible growth mechanism of formation of Y-junction CN x nanotubes was briefly discussed. Field emission measurement suggested that as-grown CN x nanotubes are excellent emitters with turn-on and threshold fields of 1.6 and 2.63 V/μm, respectively. The result indicated that monoethanolamine proves to be an advantageous precursor to synthesize Y-junction nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and such nanotubes might be an effective material to fabricate various field emission devices.

Bamboo-shaped aligned CNx nanotubes synthesized using single feedstock at different temperatures and study of their field electron emission

The present investigation deals with the synthesis of N-doped aligned bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (CNx) by chemical vapour deposition of monoethanolamine/ferrocene mixture on quartz substrate over the temperature range 700–900 °C. All nanotubes exhibited bamboo-like morphology with transverse carbon bridges forming compartments in this temperature range. The concentration of nitrogen content has been controlled in the range 4.8–5.8 at% by controlling the deposition temperature. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the composition and structural analysis of the as-grown nanotubes. HRTEM revealed that nanotubes prepared at high temperature with low nitrogen content have high graphitization degree. XPS analysis indicated that N 1s signal was split into three peaks. The decomposition of monoethanolamine at reaction temperature produces ammonia which may provide an efficient route of higher nitrogen content on carbon nanotubes. Field emission measurements indicated that N-doped carbon nanotubes prepared at 800 °C showed nice field emission performance with turn-on and threshold field of 1.6 and 2.3 V µm−1, respectively.

Field emission property of N-doped aligned carbon nanotubes grown by pyrolysis of monoethanolamine

Densely distributed bamboo-shaped nitrogen-doped aligned carbon nanotubes, grown on silicon substrate by thermal decomposition of monoethanolamine/ferrocene mixtures at 900 ∘C, were investigated for field electron emission. The morphology and crystallinity of the as-grown carbon nanotubes were characterized by SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the nitrogen concentration on carbon nanotubes and it was observed that nitrogen concentration on nanotubes was 6.6 at.%. Field emission study of as-grown nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes suggests that they are good emitters with a turn-on and threshold field of 1.8 V/μm and 2.53 V/μm, respectively. The maximum current density was observed to be 6 mA/cm 2 at 3 V/μm. It is considered that the nice field emission performance of CN x nanotube is due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons on nitrogen atom that supplies more electrons to the conduction band.

High-yield bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes from cresol for electrochemical application

High-yield bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) have been produced by using cresol as the precursor, for the first time and there are almost no straight CNTs or amorphous carbon found in the product: the role of cresol in promoting the growth of BCNTs is discussed; improved cycle stability and electric conductivity of the BCNTs as an anode additive in a lithium ion battery are achieved.

Field emission properties of Fe70Pt30 catalysed multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were grown on nanocrystalline Fe70Pt30 film using low-pressure chemical vapour deposition (LPCVD) method. The growth time was varied between 5 min to 30 min. SEM micrograph of this film revealed that the size of nanoparticles varied from 5 nm to 10 nm. The diameter of the carbon nanotubes varied from 20 nm to 50 nm as verified by TEM. HRTEM image confirmed that the carbon nanotubes are bamboo-shaped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Field emission characteristics of MWNTs at various growth times (5 min, 15 min and 30 min) with working distances (50 µm, 100 µm and 150 µm) were also studied. The carbon nanotubes grown for 30 min with working distance 150 µm exhibited the lowest turn-on field of 2.45 V/µm. The turn-on field increases from 2.45 V/µm to 6.21 V/µm as the growth time decreases from 30 min to 5 min whereas for lower working distances (100 µm and 50 µm), the turn-on field increases from 4.74 V/µm to 6.74 V/µm and from 8.79 V/µm to 14.49 V/µm respectively. The turn-on field (E to) and field enhancement factor (β) were studied as a function working distance (d) and growth time respectively to see the effect of these parameters on field emission properties. The field enhancement factor (β) was also studied as a function of radius of apex curvature (r) . It was found the field enhancement factor (β) decreases with the increase in radius of apex curvature (r) and growth time whereas the value of field enhancement factor (β) increases as working distance (d) increases. On the basis of the dependence of β on radius of apex curvature (r) a relationship of β ∝ r −1/2 is fitted.

Magnetic properties and transmission electron microscopy studies of Ni nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanocages and carbon nanotubes

Three types of carbon nanomaterials, including bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes with Ni encapsulated and hollow and Ni catalytic particles filled carbon nanocages, have been prepared by methane catalytic decomposition at a relatively low temperature. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that fascinating fullerene-like Ni–C (graphitic) core–shell nanostructures predominated. Detailed examination of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the walls of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes with quasi-cone catalytic particles encapsulated consisted of oblique graphene planes with respect to the tube axis. The Ni particles encapsulated in the carbon nanocages were larger than that encapsulated in carbon nanotubes, but the diameters of the cores of hollow carbon nanocages were less than that of Ni particles encapsulated in carbon nanotubes, suggesting that the sizes of catalyst particles played an important role during carbon nanomaterial growth. The magnetic properties of the carbon nanomaterials were measured, which showed relatively large coercive force ( H c = 138.4 O e) and good ferromagnetism ( M r/ M s = 0.325).