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

PREPARATION OF CARBON–NITROGEN NANOTUBES (CNNTs)–POLY ETHYLENE OXIDE (PEO) COMPOSITES FILMS AND THEIR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT

The present work describes the preparation characterization and electrical conductivity measurement of carbon–nitrogen (C–N) nanotubes–PEO composites films. CNNTs–PEO composite films have been prepared by using the solution cast technique and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM PHILIPS XL-20). The DC electrical conductivity measurements of the composite films revealed that for PEO film conductivity has been found to be ~ 7.5 × 10-8 Scm-1, and for C–N nanotubes (~ 20 wt.%)–PEO film it was found to be ~6.2 Scm-1 at room temperature. Thus, compared to the PEO film, the conductivity of the C–N nanotubes (~ 20 wt.%)–PEO composite film is eight orders of magnitude higher. The same conductivity of ~ 6.2 Scm-1 for the carbon nanotubes (CNT)–PEO composites comes out at 50 wt.% of CNT in PEO as reported earlier by our group. The conductivity increases with the increase of temperature, confirming the semiconducting nature of the C–N nanotubes–PEO composites.

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.

Multiwalled carbon nanotube film for strain sensing

We have studied the possibility of using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films as strain sensors. The MWCNT films were prepared by a solution/filtration method and were bonded directly onto specimens by a nonconductive adhesive. For comparison, conventional foil strain gages were also bonded to the structure on the opposite side. The specimens then underwent a uniaxial tensile load-unload cycle to evaluate them as strain sensors. To ensure good electrical contact between carbon nanotube film and the wires, a thin layer of copper was thermally deposited on both ends of the film as electrodes, and the wires were connected to the electrodes by silver ink. Wheatstone bridges were used to convert the resistance changes of the MWCNTs to voltage output. Results indicated that the output voltages were proportional to the strain readings from the stain indicator. The effect of temperature on the resistance was measured and the MWCNT film resistance was found to be independent of temperature over the range 273-363 K. The optimal film dimension for strain sensing was evaluated as well. Dynamic tests suggest that the MWCNTs were able to extract the structural signature. Our results indicate that MWCNT film is potentially useful for structural health monitoring and vibration control applications.

Bamboo-Shaped Ag-Doped TiO2 Nanowires with Heterojunctions

Bamboo-shaped Ag-doped TiO2 nanowires with heterojunctions were synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The diameter of the nanowires was about 50-100 nm, and they had a length of up to a few millimeters. The detailed structure of the heterojunction in the nanowire was also characterized.