Effect of Growth Temperature on Bamboo-shaped Carbon-Nitrogen (C-N) Nanotubes Synthesized Using Ferrocene Acetonitrile Precursor

This investigation deals with the effect of growth temperature on the microstructure, nitrogen content, and crystallinity of C-N nanotubes. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) study reveals that the atomic percentage of nitrogen content in nanotubes decreases with an increase in growth temperature. Transmission electron microscopic investigations indicate that the bamboo compartment distance increases with an increase in growth temperature. The diameter of the nanotubes also increases with increasing growth temperature. Raman modes sharpen while the normalized intensity of the defect mode decreases almost linearly with increasing growth temperature. These changes are attributed to the reduction of defect concentration due to an increase in crystal planar domain sizes in graphite sheets with increasing temperature. Both XPS and Raman spectral observations indicate that the C-N nanotubes grown at lower temperatures possess higher degree of disorder and higher N incorporation.

Low field magnetotransport in manganites

The perovskite manganites with generic formula RE(1-x)AE(x)MnO(3) (RE = rare earth, AE = Ca, Sr, Ba and Pb) have drawn considerable attention, especially following the discovery of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR). The most fundamental property of these materials is strong correlation between structure, transport and magnetic properties. They exhibit extraordinary large magnetoresistance named CMR in the vicinity of the insulator-metal/paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition at relatively large applied magnetic fields. However, for applied aspects, occurrence of significant CMR at low applied magnetic fields would be required. This review consists of two sections: in the first section we have extensively reviewed the salient features, e.g. structure, phase diagram, double-exchange mechanism, Jahn-Teller effect, different types of ordering and phase separation of CMR manganites. The second is devoted to an overview of experimental results on CMR and related magnetotransport characteristics at low magnetic fields for various doped manganites having natural grain boundaries such as polycrystalline, nanocrystalline bulk and films, manganite-based composites and intrinsically layered manganites, and artificial grain boundaries such as bicrystal, step-edge and laser-patterned junctions. Some other potential magnetoresistive materials, e.g. pyrochlores, chalcogenides, ruthenates, diluted magnetic semiconductors, magnetic tunnel junctions, nanocontacts etc, are also briefly dealt with. The review concludes with an overview of grain-boundary-induced low field magnetotransport behavior and prospects for possible applications.

Formation and microstructural characterization of coaxial carbon cylinders consisting of aligned carbon nanotube stacks

The macroscopic coaxial carbon cylinders (dia. approximately 0.5 cm with varying lengths approximately 2-5 cm) consisting of aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) stacks have been prepared by spray pyrolysis of benzene-ferrocene solution in argon atmosphere at approximately 850 degrees C-900 degrees C temperature. The coaxial carbon cylinders of CNT stacks have been formed directly inside the quartz tube. We attempted to prepare superimposed multi carbon cylinder configurations, each consisting of ordered and aligned CNTs stacked over each other. For this, we have terminated the spray of precursor after run of about 25 minutes, for a short interval (approximately 5 min), and then the solution was sprayed again over the already deposited hot CNT stack. Gross structural characterization of CNTs was done through X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Microstructural characterizations of as prepared coaxial carbon cylinders with CNT stacks were done by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. SEM studies show that the CNTs are well aligned along the periphery of the cross section of coaxial carbon cylinder, each consisting of CNTs of the type described in the above. Comparisons have been made between the present macroscopic coaxial carbon cylinders with CNT stacks studied earlier by several other workers. Plausible explanation for the synthesis of CNT stacks will be put forward.

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanotetrapods and nanorods by thermal evaporation without catalysis

ZnO nanotetrapods and nanorods have been synthesized by a simple thermal evaporation of Zn powder (300 mesh, 99.99% purity) under simultaneous flow of oxygen and argon gases in two-zone furnace in two different temperature regions. These ZnO nanostructures have hexagonal structure, which grow along the [001] direction in the form of nanotetrapods (diameter approximately 60-150 nm, length approximately 1-4 microm) and nanorods (diameter approximately 30-60 nm, length approximately 2-5 microm). The morphologies of these ZnO nanostructures have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It has been found that growth parameters like temperature, gas flow rate etc., control the diameter of the nanotetrapods and nanorods. These novel structures of ZnO nanorods and nanotetrapods may be attractive for optical and other nanodevices.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline (Co, Ni)Al2O4 spinel powder by mechanical milling of quasicrystalline materials

In the present study, attempts have been made to synthesize the nano-crystalline (Co, Ni)Al2O4 spinel powders by ball milling and subsequent annealing. An alloy of Al70Co15Ni15, exhibiting the formation of a complex intermetallic compound known as decagonal quasicrystal is selected as the starting material for mechanical milling. It is interesting to note that this alloy is close to the stoichiometry of aluminum and transition metal atoms required to form the aluminate spinel. The milling was carried out in an attritor mill at 400 rpm for 40 hours with ball to powder ratio of 20 : 1 in hexane medium. Subsequent to this annealing was performed in an air ambience for 10, 20, and 40 h at 600 degrees C in side the furnace in order to oxidize the decagonal phase and finally to form the spinel structure. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of nano-sized decagonal phase after milling and then (Co, Ni)Al2O4 spinel type phase after annealing. The XRD studies reveal the lattice parameter to be 8.075 angstroms and the lattice strain as 0.6%. The XRD and TEM explorations of spinel phase indicate the average grain size to be approximately 40 nm.

Nucleation and growth of catalyst-free zinc oxide nanostructures

This paper deals with the investigations on the nucleation and growth of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanostructures in a catalyst free synthesis. The ZnO nanostructures have been formed by evaporation of Zn (99.99%) in O2 and Ar atmosphere in single zone furnace under two temperature regions, region A (approximately 1173-1073 K) and region B (approximately 873-773 K). Through application of XRD and TEM techniques, it has been shown that first ZnO is formed which changes to ZnOx through creation of oxygen vacancies. The ZnOx acts as self-catalyst and leads to formation of various nanostructures. Those observed in the present investigation are nanotetrapods (1 D, diameter approximately 70-450 nm, length approximately 2-4.5 approximatelym) nanorods (1 D, diameter approximately 45-95 nm, length approximately 2.5-4.5 microm), nanoflowers(2D, central core diameter approximately 90-185 nm, length of petals/nanorod approximately 1.0-3.5 microm) and nanoparticles (3D, size approximately 0.85-2.5 microm). These nanostructures have been revealed by SEM explorations. Attempts have been made to explain the formation of the various nanostructures in terms of the creation and distribution of the ZnOx, the temperature as well as oxygenation conditions.

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes play a fundamental role in the rapidly developing field of nanoscience and nanotechnology because of their unique properties and high potential for applications. In this article, the different synthesis methods of carbon nanotubes (both multi-walled and single-walled) are reviewed. From the industrial point of view, the chemical vapor deposition method has shown advantages over laser vaporization and electric arc discharge methods. This article also presents recent work in the controlled synthesis of carbon nanotubes with ordered architectures. Special carbon nanotube configurations, such as nanocoils, nanohorns, bamboo-shaped and carbon cylinder made up from carbon nanotubes are also discussed.

Effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotube bundles

We have investigated the effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of carbon-nitrogen (C-N) nanotubes. The bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes were synthesized by spray pyrolysis of Fe(C5H5)2 and CH3CN solution using argon as a carrier gas at the optimum temperature of approximately 900 degrees C. The effect of ferrocene concentration on the length and concentration of nitrogen in nanotubes was studied. Micro-structural features of the nanotubes were monitored employing scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. SEM studies reveal that with decreasing ferrocene concentration from 25 mg ml(-1) to 5 mg ml(-1), the length of the nanotubes vary from 80 microm to 430 microm. A feasible growth model has been described and discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies have confirmed the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. These studies reveal that the nitrogen concentration in the nanotubes decreases with the increase of ferrocene concentration. The present synthesis route also provides means of producing carbon nanotubes with different concentrations of nitrogen.

Synthesis of bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes using acetonitrile-ferrocene precursor

We report the formation of bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes by employing a simple, one-step and economically viable spray pyrolysis technique using new precursor; acetonitrile and ferrocene solution. By varying the concentration of ferrocene with respect to acetonitrile, it has been found that the optimum concentration of ferrocene in acetonitrile is 5 mg/ml. The special feature of the as-synthesized bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes bundles is that they are produced in a high yield (1.25 gms/run). They also have long linear extents (approximately 430 microm) and are very clean. The average composition of carbon-nitrogen nanotubes comes out to be C26N.

Carbon nanotube filters

Over the past decade of nanotube research, a variety of organized nanotube architectures have been fabricated using chemical vapour deposition. The idea of using nanotube structures in separation technology has been proposed, but building macroscopic structures that have controlled geometric shapes, density and dimensions for specific applications still remains a challenge. Here we report the fabrication of freestanding monolithic uniform macroscopic hollow cylinders having radially aligned carbon nanotube walls, with diameters and lengths up to several centimetres. These cylindrical membranes are used as filters to demonstrate their utility in two important settings: the elimination of multiple components of heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum-a crucial step in post-distillation of crude oil-with a single-step filtering process, and the filtration of bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli or the nanometre-sized poliovirus ( approximately 25 nm) from water. These macro filters can be cleaned for repeated filtration through ultrasonication and autoclaving. The exceptional thermal and mechanical stability of nanotubes, and the high surface area, ease and cost-effective fabrication of the nanotube membranes may allow them to compete with ceramic- and polymer-based separation membranes used commercially.

Formation and size dependence of germanium nanoparticles at different helium pressures

We report the formation of germanium nanoparticles and threadlike nanostructures by the process of thermal vapor deposition. Germanium was thermally evaporated and condensed on graphite substrates under varied ambient helium pressures of 100, 200, 300, and 400 torr. The deposited films were characterized through transmission electron microscopy. These investigations revealed the occurrence of germanium particles. The size of these particles varied inversely with ambient pressure. Whereas for an ambient pressure of 100 torr the average particle size was approximately 0.3-0.5 micron, for 400 torr the average size was approximately 30-60 nm. At high He pressure (e.g., approximately 400 torr), the nanoparticles that formed when annealed for 30 min at 200 degrees C in vacuum adopted threadlike nanostructures. A qualitative explanation has been put forward for the formation of germanium particles and variation of size of these particles with helium pressure in terms of condensation, collision, and coalescence.

Formation of carbon nanotubes without iron inclusion and their alignment through ferrocene and ferrocene-ethylene pyrolysis

So far carbon nanotubes grown from the method most common method at present, that is, pyrolysis of ferrocene, invariably contains Fe inclusion. In addition, they are generally grown in random configurations. In the present investigations CNTs without Fe inclusion and in aligned configurations have been prepared by the pyrolysis of ferrocene (C10H10Fe) as well as pyrolysis of ferrocene in the presence of ethylene (C2H4). This has been achieved through optimization of growth parameters, for example, heating rate of ferrocene, pyrolysis temperature, and flow rates of carrier gas argon (Ar) and ethylene (C2H4). The as-synthesized samples have been characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The optimum results relating to synthesis of carbon nanotubes without Fe inclusion and in aligned configurations have been obtained at 1000 degrees C pyrolysis temperature under flow rates of Ar of approximately 1000 sccm and of C2H4 of approximately 100 sccm. These carbon nanotubes have been found to have an outer diameter between approximately 20 and 60 nm and lengths between approximately 15 and 20 microns.

Synthesis and characterization of Cu nanotubes and nanothreads by electrical arc evaporation

We report the formation and characterization of copper nanostructures, nanotubules and nanothreads, which were obtained by electrical arc evaporation of Cu electrodes under varied conditions of He ambience. Electrical arc evaporation was done with approximately 10 V and (approximately 50-100 A) DC current. The current was used in a pulse mode. The evaporated material was condensed on a formvar-coated Cu grid mounted on a liquid N2-cooled specimen holder. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to characterize the condensed materials. These investigations revealed that the condensed materials consisted of the mentioned nanostructures. Nanotubes and nanothreads are formed for a He pressure in the chamber corresponding to approximately 140 and approximately 500 torr, respectively. Extensive electron microscopic investigations showed that the diameter of the nanotubes varied from approximately 5 nm to approximately 50 nm and their length from 2 microns to 3 microns.

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanum carbide nanotubes

Lanthanum carbide nanotubes have been synthesized by d.c. arc evaporation (approximately 20-30 V, approximately 200 Amp) of lanthanum metal (90 wt.%)-loaded graphite rod in a helium atmosphere (665 mbar). To explore the possibility of formation of lanthanum carbide nanotubes, the experiments were carried out with lanthanum metal in different concentrations (i.e., 30, 50, 70, and 90 wt.%) in the graphite rod. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Lanthanum carbide nanotubes (LCNTs) with a diameter of approximately 65 to 95 nm and a length of approximately 0.2 to 1.5 microns were obtained in this study.

Differential effects of the D1-DA receptor antagonist SCH39166 on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

In the present open study the effects of the D1-dopamine antagonist SCH 39166 on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (DSM-IIIR) were investigated. SCH 39166 was given orally according to a fixed dosage schedule (day 1: 25 mg b.i.d; day 4: 50 mg b.i.d.; day 7: 100 mg b.i.d.; day 18: 200 mg b.i.d.; day 21: 225 mg b.i.d.). Seven patients completed 2 weeks, and five patients completed the study. The reason for premature withdrawal was lack of efficacy or refusal to take SCH 39166. In none of the patients a reduction of the BPRS or CGI score was found. As measured with the PANSS, a significant reduction was observed in the score of the negative subscale, whereas the positive symptoms scale and general psychopathology score remained unaffected. Akathisia, rigidity and hypokinesia were reported occasionally, although only mild in severity. The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that D1-dopamine antagonists are clinically effective antipsychotics in schizophrenia, considering the fact that SCH 39166 had no effect on positive symptoms. The present study provides circumstantial evidence for an effect of SCH 39166 on negative symptoms.