In this study, epoxy composites were reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and fused silica particles, dispersing the fillers within the epoxy resin based on a simple physical method using only shear mixing and ultrasonication. The hybrid composite specimens with 0.6 wt% of carbon nanotubes and 50 wt% of silica particles showed improved mechanical properties, with increase in tensile strength and Young’s modulus up to 12 and 37%, respectively, with respect to those of the baseline specimens. The experimental results showed that the low thermal expansion of the silica particles improved the thermal stability of the composites compared with that of the baseline specimen, whereas the thermal expansion slightly increased, due to the increased heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of specimens by the carbon nanotube filler. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the hybrid composite specimen reinforced with 0.6 wt% of carbon nanotubes and 50 wt% of silica particles was decreased by 25%, and the thermal conductivity was increased by about 84%, compared with those of the baseline specimen.

The composite PAN fibers which incorporated with CNTs and Titania were prepared by mean of wet spinning. These fibers were then pre-oxidized with microwave heating in an air atmosphere. A combination of characterizations was carried out to study the impact of nanoparticles fillers on the properties of as-spun fibers and their performance during the microwave pre-oxidation. The addition of an equal amount of fillers made obvious changes in the chemical and crystalline structure, consequently improves the strength, and this could lower the capability to creep over a wide range of temperatures in the subsequent processes. FTIR and NMR analyses results of the pre-oxidized fibers exhibited clear changes in the PAN structure, where the dehydrogenation reaction and the degree of cyclization were investigated. Additional confirmation of the occurrence of cyclization reaction was achieved by XRD and thermal analysis. According to the TGA results, the pre-oxidized CNT1/ Ti-PAN fibers exhibit greater thermal stability suggesting high carbon content and good quality could result in the dependent carbon fibers.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are suitable for delivering large biomolecules with lower cytotoxicity values and low prime cost. Surface modifications of MWNTs affect interaction with cells and proteins. Oxidation with strong acids decreases cytotoxicity of CNTs and increases protein-loading capacity. Here, after oxidation, TEM images revealed more aligned structure and carboxylated groups at the surface which decreases toxicity. Functionalized MWNTs showed more gradual degradation than the pristine MWNTs and mass loss increased by 2% in the same temperature range. Raman spectroscopy corrected graphitic structure with characteristic D and G bands at 1330 and 1579 cm−1 and increased intensity after oxidation. FTIR spectroscopy peaks at 1443 cm−1, 1560, 1640 cm−1, 2100–2200 cm−1 and 3426 cm−1 are ascribed to C–O–C vibrational stretch, C=C bonds, vibration of C≡C bonds and stretch of hydroxyl groups, respectively. The sonicationdriven dispersion of in phosphate-buffered saline, distilled water and cell culture medium were detected by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, water-dispersed functionalized MWNTs revealed the highest absorbance value. Cytotoxicity of MWNTs was investigated before and after functionalization in breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and human vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells. Relatively low-toxicity results were obtained in functionalized MWNTs and cellular uptake of MWNTs were corrected with fluorescent imaging of cells and cell lysates. Protein-loading capacity of fsMWNTs (functionalized short-length multi-walled carbon nanotubes) was evaluated by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and with an equal amount of fsMWNTs and BSA; 36% binding yield was obtained. Protein corona after covalent functionalization potentially lowered cytotoxicity up to 6%.

A new discrete bis-dithiolene complex, [ PPh4]2[Zn(DMED)2] (1; DMED = 1,2-dicarbomethoxy-1,2-dithiolate) with sulfurbased radical character was synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 is stable and exhibits a square planar geometry around the zinc metal. 1 forms nanospheres through a one-pot water-induced self-assembly in a mixture of solvents (acetonitrile–water). These nanospheres were further decorated with water-soluble carbon nanotubes (wsCNTs) through hydrogen bonding between the peripheral –COOCH3 groups of 1 and surfacial carboxyl groups of wsCNTs to assemble into a spherical nanocomposite. The as-prepared nanocomposite showed fluorescence emissions in visible region due to the separation of energy states of the nanospheres assisted by wsCNTs, suggesting the future possibilities of these new materials for use in biomedical application.

In this paper, an analytical model is developed for electrical conductivity of nanocomposites, particularly polymer/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. This model considers the effects of aspect ratio, concentration, waviness, conductivity and percolation threshold of nanoparticles, interphase thickness, wettability between polymer and filler, tunneling distance between nanoparticles and network fraction on the conductivity. The developed model is confirmed by experimental results and parametric studies. The calculations show good agreement with the experimental data of different samples. The concentration and aspect ratio of nanoparticles directly control the conductivity. Moreover, a smaller distance between nanoparticles increases the conductivity based on the tunneling mechanism. A thick interphase also causes an increased conductivity, because the interphase regions participate in the networks and enhance the effectiveness of nanoparticles.

Cross model correlates the dynamic complex viscosity of polymer systems to zero complex viscosity, relaxation time and power-law index. However, this model disregards the growth of complex viscosity in nanocomposites containing filler networks, especially at low frequencies. The current paper develops the Cross model for complex viscosity of nanocomposites by yield stress as a function of the strength and density of networks. The predictions of the developed model are compared to the experimental results of fabricated samples containing poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene oxide) and carbon nanotubes. The model’s parameters are calculated for the prepared samples, and their variations are explained. Additionally, the significances of all parameters on the complex viscosity are justified to approve the developed model. The developed model successfully estimates the complex viscosity, and the model’s parameters reasonably change for the samples. The stress at transition region between Newtonian and power-law behavior and the power-law index directly affects the complex viscosity. Moreover, the strength and density of networks positively control the yield stress and the complex viscosity of nanocomposites. The developed model can help to optimize the parameters controlling the complex viscosity in polymer nanocomposites.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) represent one of the most unique materials in the field of nanotechnology. CNT are the allotrope of carbon having sp2 hybridization. CNT are considered to be rolled-up graphene with a nanostructure that can have a length to diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000. CNT can be single-, double-, and multi-walled. CNT have unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, all of which have been extensively studied. The novel properties of CNT are their light weight, small size with a high aspect ratio, good tensile strength, and good conducting characteristics, which make them useful for various applications. The present review is focused on the structure, properties, toxicity, synthesis methods, growth mechanism and their applications. Techniques that have been developed to synthesize CNT in sizeable quantities, including arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical vapor deposition, etc., have been explained. The toxic effect of CNT is also presented in a summarized form. Recent CNT applications showing a very promising glimpse into the future of CNT in nanotechnology such as optics, electronics, sensing, mechanical, electrical, storage, and other fields of materials science are presented in the review.

The carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs–COOH) were used as adsorbent for the separation of flavonoids (naringin and rutin) from bitter orange peel. The influence of the parameters such as, pH values, contact time, and desorption conditions was investigated. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. After separation and desorption process, the eluent was injected for chromatography analysis. Under the optimal conditions, experimental results showed that the extraction efficiency of rutin was higher than naringin and other compounds. Moreover, the desorption percentage of flavonoids was calculated 83.6% after four cycles. This research confirmed that this method for separation of flavonoids is simple and less cost. In addition, the separated flavonoids can be used as antioxidant for the future applications.

In this study, an empirical relationship between the energy band gap of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and synthesis parameters in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor using factorial design of experiment was established. A bimetallic (Fe-Ni) catalyst supported on CaCO3 was synthesized via wet impregnation technique and used for MWCNT growth. The effects of synthesis parameters such as temperature, time, acetylene flow rate, and argon carrier gas flow rate on the MWCNTs energy gap, yield, and aspect ratio were investigated. The as-prepared supported bimetallic catalyst and the MWCNTs were characterized for their morphologies, microstructures, elemental composition, thermal profiles and surface areas by high-resolution scanning electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal gravimetry analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. A regression model was developed to establish the relationship between band gap energy, MWCNTs yield and aspect ratio. The results revealed that the optimum conditions to obtain high yield and quality MWCNTs of 159.9% were: temperature (700ºC), time (55 min), argon flow rate (230.37 mL min–1) and acetylene flow rate (150 mL min–1) respectively. The developed regression models demonstrated that the estimated values for the three response variables; energy gap, yield and aspect ratio, were 0.246 eV, 557.64 and 0.82. The regression models showed that the energy band gap, yield, and aspect ratio of the MWCNTs were largely influenced by the synthesis parameters and can be controlled in a CVD reactor.

Linear carbon chains (LCCs) encapsulated inside the hollow cores of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been experimentally synthesized and structurally characterized by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. However, in terms of electronic conductivity, their transportation mechanism has not been investigated theoretically or experimentally. In this study, the density of states and quantum conductance spectra were simulated through density functional theory combined with the non-equilibrium Green function method. The encapsulated LCCs inside (5,5), (6,4), and (9,0) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibited a drastic change from metallic to semiconducting or from semiconducting to metallic due to the strong charge transfer between them. On the other hand, the electronic change in the conductance value of LCCs encapsulated inside the (7,4) SWCNT were in good agreement with the superposition of the individual SWCNTs and the isolated LCCs owing to the weak charge transfer.

Transition-metal-embedded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been accepted as a novel type of sensing material due to the combined advantage of the transition metal, which possesses good catalytic behavior for gas interaction, and CNTs, with large effective surface areas that present good adsorption ability towards gas molecules. In this work, we simulate the adsorption of O2 and O3 onto Rh-doped CNT in an effort to understand the adsorbing behavior of such a surface. Results indicate that the proposed material presents good adsorbing ability and capacities for these two gases, especially O3 molecules, as a result of the relatively large conductivity changes. The frontier molecular orbital theory reveals that the conductivity of Rh-CNT would undergo a decrease after the adsorption of two such oxidizing gases due to the lower electron activity and density of this media. Our calculations are meaningful as they can supply experimentalists with potential sensing material prospects with which to exploit chemical sensors.

A novel, unique, and effective method for carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion by the free arc stimulation is proposed. CNTs are introduced as an aerogel into the air space via the dispersion method and can be utilized as a solution by adding it to solvents. The volume of the original generated CNT aerogel with a high-volume expansion ratio displays a performance two orders of magnitudes better than that of raw CNTs, which is considered a powerful characterization of the dispersion effect. The CNT aerogel, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy also showed a satisfactory dispersion morphology. Its structure and properties were tested before and after dispersion by Raman spectroscopy and great consistency was observed, which proved that the CNTs were undamaged. This approach may greatly promote the large-scale application of CNTs.

본 연구에서는 탄소나노튜브/화이버/폴리머 복합소재 구조에 대한 재료 물성 및 강성 추정을 다룬다. 수정된 Halpin-Tsai 모델을 적용한 멀티 스케일 해석은 탄소나노튜브의 함유량 비율, CNT 두께-길이 비율, 화이버 부피 함유량, 그리고 화이버 보강각도 변화에 따라서 수행되었다. 본 연구에서 제시한 멀티-스케일 접근방법은 기존 모델을 적용하여 얻은 결과와 비교하여 검증하였다. 매개변수 해석을 통하여 CNT의 적절한 함유량은 적층된 CNTFPC 구조의 구조성능의 향상시킬 수 있는 중요한 특성을 규명하였다.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is an important issue in modern daily life due to the increasing prevalence of electronic devices and their compact design. This study estimated EMI-shielding effect (EMI-SE) of small (8–14×17 mm) Hanji (Korean traditional paper) doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and compared to Hanji without CNT using 2H (92.1 MHz) and 23Na (158.7 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) peak area data obtained from 1 M NaCl in D2O samples in capillary tubes that were wrapped in the Hanji samples. The simpler method of using the variation of reflected power and tuning frequency by inserting the sample into an NMR coil was also tested at 242.9, 158.7, and 92.1 MHz. Overall, EMI shielding was relatively more effective at the higher frequencies. Our results validated that NMR methods to be useful to evaluate EMI-SE, particularly for small, flexible shielding materials, and demonstrated that EMI shielding by absorption is dominant in Hanji mixed with CNT.

Surfactant-wrapped separation methods of metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can result in large changes in intrinsic physical and chemical properties due to electronic interactions between a nanotube and a surfactant. Our approach to synthesize SWCNTs with an electronic feature relied on utilizing carbon nanorings, [n] cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs), which are the fundamental unit of armchair type SWCNTs (a-SWCNTs) that possess a metallic feature without any surfactants. To obtain long tubular structures from [n]CPPs, the host-guest complexes formed with well-aligned [n]CPP hosts and various fullerene guests on a silicon substrate were pyrolyzed under an ethanol gas flow at a high temperature with focused-ultraviolet laser irradiation. The pyrolyzed [n]CPPs were observed to transform from nanorings to tubular structures with 1.5–1.7 nm diameters corresponding to the employed diameter of [n]CPPs. Our approach suggests that [n]CPPs are useful for structure-controlled synthesis of SWCNTs.

We carried out a dynamic instability assessment of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) and carbon nanotubes/fiber/polymer composite (CNTFPC) skew plates based on the high-order shear deformation plate theory (HSDT). The multiscale interactions between carbon nanotube (CNT) ratios and skew angles on the dynamic instability for various length-thickness ratios are studied using a two-dimensional finite element model developed for this study. The results were verified by those reported in the literature show the interactions between the CNT reinforcement and skew angles in the skew laminate. Numerical examples show the importance of CNT reinforcement when assessing the dynamic instability of CNTRC and CNTFPC skew plates.