Control of Diameters of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes through Pretreatment of Support Surfaces
- 详细技术说明
- None
- *Abstract
-
Controlof Diameters of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes through Pretreatment of SupportSurfaces
Challenge
Small diameter carbonnanotubes (CNTs) can be grown from metal catalyst particles deposited on varioussurfaces. The resulting diameters of theCNTs correspond to the sizes of the metal catalyst particles used for theirnucleation and growth. As a result, thediameter of the catalyst particles is currently a limiting factor in the growthof nanotubes, and the ability to alter the average size of the catalystparticle offers the potential to select the average diameter of CNTs grown fromthe catalyst.
Solution
Thepresent invention offers a method for the diameter selection of single-walledcarbon nanotubes (SWNTs). This selectionis accomplished by pretreating support surfaces using deposition techniques toform metal catalyst particles for SWNT nucleation and growth. The size of the metal particle may bemodified by chemical means, surface ion bombardment, or thermal annealing. These modifications thus alter the size ofthe SWNT that is grown from these particles, and the conditioning processallows the growth of vertical arrays of SWNTs with average diameters rangingfrom 1 to 10 nm.
Benefitsand features
- Method offers control of CNT diameter size
- Method can produce vertical arrays of SWNTs with 1-10 nm diameters
- Metal particle size can be modified through various techniques
MarketPotential / Applications
This method finds applicationin the controlled growth of CNT arrays. These arrays are of potential utility in the fields of data storage,microfluidics, sensing, and even computation.
Development and LicensingStatus
This technology is availablefor licensing from Rice University.
RiceResearcher
Robert H. Hauge is theDistinguished Faculty Fellow in Chemistry at Rice University. His research concerns the study of thephysical properties and manipulation of single-wall carbon nanotubes, and heserves as the director of Rice Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory.
TechnologyRelevant Papers and Web Links
A U.S. patent application forthis invention has been published (publication no. 20090294753).
Xu, Y.-Q.; Flor, E.; Kim,M.J.; Hamadani, B.; Schimdt, H.; Smalley, R.E.; Hauge, R.H. “Vertical ArrayGrowth of Small Diameter Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6560-6561.
Case# 26045
KeyWords:nanotubes, SWNTs, diameter
Inquiriesto:
Luba Pacala, lpacala@rice.edu, (713) 348-5590
Chance Rainwater, crainwater@rice.edu, (713) 348-4106
- 国家/地区
- 美国
