Temperature dependence of the Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes

We report on a temperature dependence of the frequency of all the major peaks in the Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes, using different excitation laser powers at the sample. The frequency decreases with increasing temperature for all peaks, and the shifts in Raman frequencies are linear in the temperature of the sample. In comparison, a similar dependence is found in active carbon, but no shift is observed for the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite within the same range of variation in laser power. A lowering of frequency at higher temperature implies an increase in the carbon-carbon distance at higher temperature. The relatively strong temperature dependence in carbon nanotubes and active carbon may be due to the enhanced increase in carbon-carbon distance. This enhancement may originate from the heavy defects and disorder in these materials. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(98)05219-0].

An investigation of Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness enhancement using aligned carbon nanotubes forests at the crack interface

A novel approach for introducing aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a carbon-fibre composite pre-impregnated (prepreg) laminate, to improve the through-thickness fracture toughness, is presented. Carbon nanotube (CNT) 'forests' were grown on a silicon substrate with a thermal oxide layer, using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process. The forests were then transferred to a pre-cured laminate interface, using a combination of pressure and heat, while maintaining through-thickness CNT alignment. Standard Mode I and four-point bend end-notched flexure Mode II tests were undertaken on a set of specimens and compared with pristine specimens. Mode I fracture toughness for T700/M21 laminates was improved by an average of 31% while for T700/SE84LV specimens, an improvement of 61% was observed. Only T700/M21 specimens were tested in Mode II which yielded an average fracture toughness improvement of 161%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed good wetting of the CNT forest as well as evidence of penetration of the forest into the adjacent plies. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Optimized process for the inclusion of carbon nanotubes in elastomers with improved thermal and mechanical properties

The effects of addition of reinforcing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR) matrix on the mechanical, dynamic viscoelastic, and permeability properties were studied in this investigation. Different techniques of incorporating nanotubes in HNBR were investigated in this research. The techniques considered were more suitable for industrial preparation of rubber composites. The nanotubes were modified with different surfactants and dispersion agents to improve the compatibility and adhesion of nanotubes on the HNBR matrix. The effects of the surface modification of the nanotubes on various properties were examined in detail. The amount of CNTs was varied from 2.5 to 10 phr in different formulations prepared to identify the optimum CNT levels. A detailed analysis was made to investigate the morphological structure and mechanical behavior at room temperature. The viscoelastic behavior of the nanotube filler elastomer was studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Morphological analysis indicated a very good dispersion of the CNTs for a low nanotube loading of 3.5 phr. A significant improvement in the mechanical properties was observed with the addition of nanotubes. DMTA studies revealed an increase in the storage modulus and a reduction in the glass-transition temperature after the incorporation of the nanotubes. Further, the HNBR/CNT nanocomposites were subjected to permeability studies. The studies showed a significant reduction in the permeability of nitrogen gas. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of a Polymer-carbon Nanotubes based Economic Solar Collector

A low cost solar collector was developed by using polymeric components as opposed to metal and glass components of traditional solar collectors. In order to utilize polymers for the absorber of the solar collector, Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) has been added as a filler to improve the thermal conductivity and the solar absorptivity of polymers. The solar collector was designed as a multi-layer construction with considering the economic manufacturing. Through the mathematical heat transfer analysis, the performance and characteristics of the designed solar collector have been estimated. Furthermore, the prototypes of the proposed system were built and tested at a state-of-the-art solar simulator facility to evaluate the actual performance of the developed solar collector. The cost-effective polymer-CNT solar collector, which achieved efficiency as much as that of a conventional glazed flat plate solar panel, has been successfully developed.

Design, analysis and performance of a polymer-carbon nanotubes based economic solar collector

A low cost flat plate solar collector was developed by using polymeric components as opposed to metal and glass components of traditional flat plate solar collectors. In order to improve the thermal and optical properties of the polymer absorber of the solar collector, Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) were added as a filler. The solar collector was designed as a multi-layer construction with an emphasis on low manufacturing costs. Through the mathematical heat transfer analysis, the thermal performance of the collector and the characteristics of the design parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, the prototypes of the proposed collector were built and tested at a state-of-the-art solar simulator facility to evaluate its actual performance. The inclusion of CNT improved significantly the properties of the polymer absorber. The key design parameters and their effects on the thermal performance were identified via the heat transfer analysis. Based on the experimental and analytical results, the cost-effective polymer-CNT solar collector, which achieved a high thermal efficiency similar to that of a conventional glazed flat plate solar panel, was successfully developed.

Abnormal anti-Stokes Raman scattering of carbon nanotubes

Abnormal anti-Stokes Raman scattering (AASR) was unambiguously observed in carbon nanotubes (CNT's). In contrast to traditional Raman scattering theory, the absolute value of the Raman frequency of the anti-Stokes peak is not the same as that of the corresponding Stokes peak. It was demonstrated that AASR scattering originates from the unique nanoscale cylindrical structure of CNT's that can be considered naturally as a graphite structure with an intrinsic defect from its rolling. The double-resonance Raman scattering theory was applied to interpret the scattering mechanism of the AASR phenomenon successfully and quantitatively.

Comparative Raman Study of Carbon Nanotubes Prepared by D.C. Arc Discharge and Catalytic Methods

The Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes prepared by catalytic (C-CNT) and d.c. arc discharge (D-CNT) methods are reported. A previously unnoticed third-order Raman peak at ca. 4248 cm-1 was observed in the Raman spectrum of D-CNT. The Raman features of D-CNT and C-CNT are similar to those of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and active carbon, respectively. The data also suggest that the increase in disorder in D-CNT compared with HOPG is due to structural defects in D-CNT. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biosensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode modified with laccase for pirimicarb pesticide quantification

This study focused on the development of a sensitive enzymatic biosensor for the determination of pirimicarb pesticide based on the immobilization of laccase on composite carbon paste electrodes. Multi- walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)paste electrode modified by dispersion of laccase(3%,w/w) within the optimum composite matrix(60:40%,w/w,MWCNTs and paraffin binder)showed the best performance, with excellent electron transfer kinetic and catalytic effects related to the redox process of the substrate4- aminophenol. No metal or anti-interference membrane was added. Based on the inhibition of laccase activity, pirimicarb can be determined in the range 9.90 ×10- 7 to 1.15 ×10- 5 molL 1 using 4- aminophenol as substrate at the optimum pH of 5.0, with acceptable repeatability and reproducibility (relative standard deviations lower than 5%).The limit of detection obtained was 1.8 × 10-7 molL 1 (0.04 mgkg 1 on a fresh weight vegetable basis).The high activity and catalytic properties of the laccase- based biosensor are retained during ca. one month. The optimized electroanalytical protocol coupled to the QuEChERS methodology were applied to tomato and lettuce samples spiked at three levels; recoveries ranging from 91.0±0.1% to 101.0 ± 0.3% were attained. No significant effects in the pirimicarb electro- analysis were observed by the presence of pro-vitamin A, vitamins B1 and C,and glucose in the vegetable extracts. The proposed biosensor- based pesticide residue methodology fulfills all requisites to be used in implementation of food safety programs.

Recycling old screen-printed electrodes with newly designed plastic antibodies on the wall of carbon nanotubes as sensory element for in situ detection of bacterial toxins in water

Using low cost portable devices that enable a single analytical step for screening environmental contaminants is today a demanding issue. This concept is here tried out by recycling screen-printed electrodes that were to be disposed of and by choosing as sensory element a low cost material offering specific response for an environmental contaminant. Microcystins (MCs) were used as target analyte, for being dangerous toxins produced by cyanobacteria released into water bodies. The sensory element was a plastic antibody designed by surface imprinting with carefully selected monomers to ensure a specific response. These were designed on the wall of carbon nanotubes, taking advantage of their exceptional electrical properties. The stereochemical ability of the sensory material to detect MCs was checked by preparing blank materials where the imprinting stage was made without the template molecule. The novel sensory material for MCs was introduced in a polymeric matrix and evaluated against potentiometric measurements. Nernstian response was observed from 7.24 × 10−10 to 1.28 × 10−9 M in buffer solution (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, pH 6.6), with average slopes of −62 mVdecade−1 and detection capabilities below 1 nM. The blank materials were unable to provide a linear response against log(concentration), showing only a slight potential change towards more positive potentials with increasing concentrations (while that ofthe plastic antibodies moved to more negative values), with a maximum rate of +33 mVdecade−1. The sensors presented good selectivity towards sulphate, iron and ammonium ions, and also chloroform and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) and fast response (<20 s). This concept was successfully tested on the analysis of spiked environmental water samples. The sensors were further applied onto recycled chips, comprehending one site for the reference electrode and two sites for different selective membranes, in a biparametric approach for “in situ” analysis.

Label-free Detection of Microcystin-LR in Waters Using Real-Time Potentiometric Biosensors Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Imprinted Polymers

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a dangerous toxin found in environmental waters, quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Quick, low cost and on-site analysis is thus required to ensure human safety and wide screening programs. This work proposes label-free potentiometric sensors made of solid-contact electrodes coated with a surface imprinted polymer on the surface of Multi-Walled Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) incorporated in a polyvinyl chloride membrane. The imprinting effect was checked by using non-imprinted materials. The MC-LR sensitive sensors were evaluated, characterized and applied successfully in spiked environmental waters. The presented method offered the advantages of low cost, portability, easy operation and suitability for adaptation to flow methods.