Study of non-local wave properties of nanotubes with surface effects

In macroscopic and even microscopic structural elements, surface effects can be neglected and classical theories are sufficient. As the structural size decreases towards the nanoscale regime, the surface-to-bulk energy ratio increases and surface effects must be taken into account. In the present work, the terahertz wave dispersion characteristics of a nanotube are studied with consideration of the surface effects as well as the non-local small scale effects. Non-local elasticity theory is used to derive the general governing differential equation based on equilibrium approach to include those scale effects. Scale and surface property dependent wave characteristic equations are obtained via spectral analysis. For the present study the material properties of an anodic alumina nanotube with crystallographic of < 111 > direction are considered. The present analysis shows that the effect of surface properties (surface integrated residual stress and surface integrated modulus) on the flexural wave characteristics of anodic nanotubes are more significant. It has been found that the flexural wavenumbers with surface effects are high as compared to that without surface effects. It has also been shown that, with consideration of surface effects the flexural wavenumbers are under compressive nature. The effect of the small scale and the size of the nanotube on wave dispersion properties are also captured in the present work. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Revisit to Capture the Entire Behavior of Ultrasonic Wave Dispersion Characteristics of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based on Nonlocal Elasticity Theory and Flugge Shell Model

In this paper, an ultrasonic wave propagation analysis in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is re-studied using nonlocal elasticity theory, to capture the whole behaviour. The SWCNT is modeled using Flugge's shell theory, with the wall having axial, circumferential and radial degrees of freedom and also including small scale effects. Nonlocal governing equations for this system are derived and wave propagation analysis is also carried out. The revisited nonlocal elasticity calculation shows that the wavenumber tends to infinite at certain frequencies and the corresponding wave velocity tends to zero at those frequencies indicating localization and stationary behavior. This frequency is termed as escape frequency. This behavior is observed only for axial and radial waves in SWCNT. It has been shown that the circumferential waves will propagate dispersively at higher frequencies in nonlocality. The magnitudes of wave velocities of circumferential waves are smaller in nonlocal elasticity as compared to local elasticity. We also show that the explicit expressions of cut-off frequency depend on the nonlocal scaling parameter and the axial wavenumber. The effect of axial wavenumber on the ultrasonic wave behavior in SWCNTs is also discussed. The present results are compared with the corresponding results (for first mode) obtained from ab initio and 3-D elastodynamic continuum models. The acoustic phonon dispersion relation predicted by the present model is in good agreement with that obtained from literature. The results are new and can provide useful guidance for the study and design of the next generation of nanodevices that make use of the wave propagation properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Loading of single-walled carbon nanotubes in cationic cholesterol suspensions significantly improves gene transfection efficiency in serum

We present here a series of cholesterol based cationic lipid suspensions that solubilize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) efficiently in water. Each cationic lipid formulation was characterized in terms of their energy minimized molecular structures, bilayer widths of the aggregates based on X-ray diffraction. Then these aggregates were investigated pertaining to their DNA binding and release efficiency, effect of CNT inclusion on the stability of cationic cholesterol lipid-DNA complexes, Zeta potential values and changes in the chiro-optical property of DNA, effect on Raman spectral shift and changes in morphology by SEM and AFM. Each cationic lipid formulation was optimized for the amount of SWCNT solubilized in water, lipid-DNA ratio, amount of the plasmid DNA that can be transfected and the effect on the cellular toxicity. The resulting SWCNT-lipid formulations were then used for in vitro transfection of pEGFP-C3 in A549 (human alveolar basal epithelial) cells and HeLa (human cervical cancer) cells. Advantageously, the CNT-loaded formulations confer an excellent transfection efficiency even in high percentages of blood serum and showed significantly better gene transfer efficiency compared to one of the potent, well-known commercial transfection reagent, Lipofectamine2000.

Recent progress in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles

Nanoparticles probably constitute the largest class of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles of several inorganic materials have been prepared by employing a variety of synthetic strategies. Besides synthesizing nanoparticles, there has been considerable effort to selectively prepare nanoparticles of different shapes. In view of the great interest in inorganic nanoparticles evinced in the last few years, we have prepared this perspective on the present status of the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles. This article includes a brief discussion of methods followed by reports on the synthesis of nanoparticles of various classes of inorganic materials such as metals, alloys, oxides chalcogenides and pnictides. A brief section on core-shell nanoparticles is also included.

Longitudinal Magnetic Field Effect on Nonlocal Ultrasonic Vibration Analysis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based on Wave Propagation Approach

This paper studies the effect of longitudinal magnetic field on ultrasonic vibration in single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based on nonlocal continuum medium theory. Governing partial differential equations of CNTs are derived by considering the Lorentz magnetic forces applied on CNTs induced by a longitudinal magnetic field through Maxwell equations. The vibration characteristics of CNTs under a longitudinal magnetic field are obtained by solving the governing equations via wave propagation approach. The effects of longitudinal magnetic field on vibration of CNTs are discussed through numerical experiments. The present analysis show that vibration frequencies of CNTs drops dramatically in the presence of the magnetic field for various circumferential wavenumbers. Such effect is also observed for various boundary conditions of the CNT. New features for the effect of longitudinal magnetic field on ultrasonic vibration of CNTs, presented in this paper are useful in the design of nano-drive device, nano-oscillator and actuators and nano-electron technology, where carbon nanotubes act as basic elements.

Ultrasonic Wave Dispersion Characteristics of Fluid-Filled Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based on Nonclassical Shell Model

In this paper, ultrasonic wave propagation analysis in fluid filled single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is studied using nonlocal elasticity theory. The SWCNT is modeled using Flugge's shell theory, with the wall having axial, circumferential and radial degrees of freedom and also including small scale effects. The fluid inside the SWCNT is assumed as water. Nonlocal governing equations for this system are derived and wave propagation analysis is also carried out. The presence of fluid in SWCNT alters the ultrasonic wave dispersion behavior. The wavenumber and wave velocity are smaller in presence of fluid as compared to the empty SWCNT. The nonlocal elasticity calculation shows that the wavenumber tends to reach the continuum limit at certain frequencies and the corresponding wave velocity tends to zero at those frequencies indicating localization and stationary behavior. It has been shown that the circumferential. waves will propagate non-dispersively at higher frequencies in nonlocality. The magnitudes of wave velocities of circumferential waves are smaller in nonlocal elasticity as compared to local elasticity. We also show that the cut-off frequency depend on the nonlocal scaling parameter and also on the density of the fluid inside the SWCNT, and the axial wavenumber, as the fluid becomes denser the cut-off frequency decreases. The effect of axial wavenumber on the ultrasonic wave behavior in SWCNTS filled with water is also discussed.

The relevance of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) in inorganic materials chemistry

The metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have evolved to be an important family and a corner stone for research in the area of inorganic chemistry. The progress made since 2000 has attracted researchers from other disciplines to actively engage themselves in this area. This cooperative synergy of different scientific believes have provided important edge and spread to the chemistry of metal-organic frameworks. The ease of synthesis coupled with the observation of properties in the areas of catalysis, sorption, separation, luminescence, bioactivity, magnetism, etc., are a proof of this synergism. In this article, we present the recent developments in this area.

Self Repair in Circuits-Automating Open Fault Repair in Integrated Circuits Using Field-Induced Aggregation of Carbon Nanotubes

This paper presents studies on the use of carbon nanotubes dispersed in an insulating fluid to serve as an automaton for healing open-circuit interconnect faults in integrated circuits. The physics behind the repair mechanism is the electric-field-induced diffusion limited aggregation. On the occurrence of an open fault, the repair is automatically triggered due to the presence of an electric field across the gap. We perform studies on the repair time as a function of the electric field and dispersion concentrations with the above application in mind.

Electromagnetic characteristics of carbon nanotubes with strain

Electromagnetic characteristics like absorption and electric field distributions of metallic carbon nanotubes are simulated using the discrete dipole approximation. Absorption of electromagnetic energy over a range of frequencies are studied for both parallel and perpendicular incidence of light to the axis of carbon nanotube. Our simulations show 30% enhancement of electric field in the radial direction for nanotubes with axial strain of 0.2 when compared to unstrained nanotubes in case of parallel incidence of light. Simulations for perpendicular incidence of light show an oscillatory behavior for the electric field in the axial direction. Analysis of simulation results indicate potential applications in designing nanostructured antennae and electromagnetic transmission/shielding using CNT-composite.

Effect of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on Electrical and Structural Properties of Polyaniline

Polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/CNT (multiwall carbon nanotubes, CNT) composites were prepared using an oxidative chemical polymerization method with ammonium persulfate and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as the oxidizing agent and surfactant, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra illustrate the presence of PANI in the composite and show that some interaction exists between PANI and CNT. Embedding of CNT in the PANI matrix is confirmed by scanning electron micrography. Conductivity of the PANI/CNT composites was higher than that of pure PANI, and the maximum conductivity obtained was 4.44 S/cm at 20 wt.% CNT.

Tunable device properties of free-standing inorganic/organic flexible hybrid structures obtained by exfoliation

We report the fabrication of free-standing flexible inorganic/organic hybrid structures by exfoliating ZnO nanostructured films from the flat indium tin oxide (ITO)/silicon/sapphire substrates using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Strong interaction between ZnO and PEDOT: PSS and the thermomechanical response of PEDOT: PSS are the key issues for the exfoliation to prevail. The performance of the free-standing hybrid structures as rectifiers and photodetectors is better as compared to ITO supported hybrid structures. It is also shown that device properties of hybrid structures can be tuned by using different electrode materials. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4729550]

Nonlocal continuum mechanics formulation for axial, flexural, shear and contraction coupled wave propagation in single walled carbon nanotubes

This paper presents the effect of nonlocal scaling parameter on the coupled i.e., axial, flexural, shear and contraction, wave propagation in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The axial and transverse motion of SWCNT is modeled based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and thickness contraction. The governing equations are derived based on nonlocal constitutive relations and the wave dispersion analysis is also carried out. The studies shows that the nonlocal scale parameter introduces certain band gap region in all wave modes where no wave propagation occurs. This is manifested in the wavenumber plots as the region where the wavenumber tends to infinite or wave speed tends to zero. The frequency at which this phenomenon occurs is called the escape frequency. Explicit expressions are derived for cut-off and escape frequencies of all waves in SWCNT. It is also shown that the cut-off frequencies of shear and contraction mode are independent of the nonlocal scale parameter. The results provided in this article are new and are useful guidance for the study and design of the next generation of nanodevices that make use of the coupled wave propagation properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Carbon dioxide detection by boron nitride nanotubes

The effect of gas molecule adsorption is investigated on the density of states of (9,0) zigzag boron nitride nanotube within a random tight-binding Hamiltonian model. The Green function approach and coherent potential approximation have been implemented. The results show that the adsorption of carbon dioxide gas molecules by boron atoms only leads to a donor type semiconductor while the adsorption by nitrogen atoms only leads to an acceptor. Since the gas molecules are adsorbed by both boron and nitrogen atoms, a reduction of the band gap is found. In all cases, increasing the gas concentration causes an increase in the height of the peaks in the band gap. This is due to an increasing charge carrier concentration induced by adsorbed gas molecules.

Interaction of nucleic acids with carbon nanotubes and dendrimers

Nucleic acid interaction with nanoscale objects like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and dendrimers is of fundamental interest because of their potential application in CNT separation, gene therapy and antisense therapy. Combining nucleic acids with CNTs and dendrimers also opens the door towards controllable self-assembly to generate various supra-molecular and nano-structures with desired morphologies. The interaction between these nanoscale objects also serve as a model system for studying DNA compaction, which is a fundamental process in chromatin organization. By using fully atomistic simulations, here we report various aspects of the interactions and binding modes of DNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) with CNTs, graphene and dendrimers. Our results give a microscopic picture and mechanism of the adsorption of single- and double-strand DNA (ssDNA and dsDNA) on CNT and graphene. The nucleic acid-CNT interaction is dominated by the dispersive van der Waals (vdW) interaction. In contrast, the complexation of DNA (both ssDNA and dsDNA) and siRNA with various generations of poly-amido-amine (PAMAM) dendrimers is governed by electrostatic interactions. Our results reveal that both the DNA and siRNA form stable complex with the PAMAM dendrimer at a physiological pH when the dendrimer is positively charged due to the protonation of the primary amines. The size and binding energy of the complex increase with increase in dendrimer generation. We also give a summary of the current status in these fields and discuss future prospects.

Theoretical estimation of electromigration in metallic carbon nanotubes considering self-heating effect

In this paper, we estimate the solution of the electromigration diffusion equation (EMDE) in isotopically pure and impure metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (SWCNTs) by considering self-heating. The EMDE for SWCNT has been solved not only by invoking the dependence of the electromigration flux on the usual applied static electric field across its two ends but also by considering a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity (κ) which results in a variable temperature distribution (T) along its length due to self-heating. By changing its length and isotopic impurity, we demonstrate that there occurs a significant deviation in the SWCNT electromigration performance. However, if κ is assumed to be temperature independent, the solution may lead to serious errors in performance estimation. We further exhibit a tradeoff between length and impurity effect on the performance toward electromigration. It is suggested that, to reduce the vacancy concentration in longer interconnects of few micrometers, one should opt for an isotopically impure SWCNT at the cost of lower κ, whereas for comparatively short interconnects, pure SWCNT should be used. This tradeoff presented here can be treated as a way for obtaining a fairly well estimation of the vacancy concentration and mean time to failure in the bundles of CNT-based interconnects. © 2012 IEEE.