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MWNTs, DWNTs, SWNTs by CVD

Synthesis, characterization, application

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a material with unique electrical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, have attracted much attention for various technological applications such as functional components for electronic nanodevices, as additives for polymer composites, and as electrode materials.

Depending on the number of tube walls, CNTs can be assigned to single-walled (SW), double-walled (DW), and multi-walled (MW) nanotubes.

The catalytic CVD using metal particles as catalyst is the mostly used method for the CNT synthesis with high controllability of the NT structure and diameter and quite versatile for scaled-up production of CNTs.

The CVD group of the IFF is engaged in synthesis and characterization of CNTs as bulk, layer, or in individual materials, using thermal catalytic and plasma enhanced CVD methods.  The topics are focussed on investigation of growth  mechanism, structure, and catalytic effects with the aim to improve the material regarding uniformity of structure, diameter, and length as well as impurity content.


Activities:

  • Synthesis of CNTs with controllable diameter range using the "fixed bed" method:



Figure0

35g5_007.jpg
Scheme of CVD reactor with fixed catalyst material
SEM image of CNTs
 

 

•   CNTs (SW/DWNTs) with 1-5 nm in diameter  [Fe-content in catalyst material: 1 Mol%]

 

Figure2
Figure3
 DWNTs and DW/SWNT-bundlesDWNTs and DW/SWNT-bundles


 •   CNTs (SW/DW/MWNTs) with 1-15 nm in diameter  [Fe-content in catalyst material: 4 Mol%]


Figure4
Figure5
Double-walled nanotube with 3.5 nm in ØThin MWNTs;
right: 3-walled MWNT [Ø: 4 nm];
left: 6-walled MWNT [Ø: 8 nm]


•   CNTs (MWNTs) with 8- 40 nm in diameter  [Fe-content in catalyst material: 16 Mol%]


Figure6Figure7
MWNT-Ø: 9 nm
MWNT-Ø: 20 nm



  • Synthesis of CNTs with defined narrow diameter distribution using the "aerosol" CVD method


Figure8




















  • Synthesis of CNTs for the application into polymer composites


Figure9
HRTEM image of CNTs into polymer [Image: J. Thomas, IKM, IFW Dresden]

For more information don't hesitate to contact.

Contact:

Dr. Albrecht Leonhardt
'Chemical Vapor Deposition'
Institute for Solid State Research (IFF)
IFW Dresden
D-01171 Dresden, Germany

Phone: +49-351-4659-299
Fax: +49-351-4659-440

Email: a.leonhardt@ifw-dresden.de