A Chemical Method for Growing Single Chirality, Uniform Diameter Carbon Nanotubes

Boston College
posted on 07/22/2009

This method offers a controlled synthetic approach resulting in single-chirality, uniform-diameter carbon nanotubes. The synthesis relies on using a template capable of iterative growth by cycloaddition chemistry on the rim of the growing nanotube. The ability to control the diameter and chirality of the growing nanotube allows for the synthesis of nanotubes with varying semi-conductor and metallic conductor properties.

Suggested Uses

Production of uniform carbon nanotubes of varying mechanical and electrical properties can be applied to various end-use sectors such as electronics, field emission devices, batteries, and composites for the automotive and aerospace industries.

Advantages

• Chemistry proceeds at low temperatures relative to current methods
• Process is run in solution rather than in gas phase
• No transition metal catalysts are used
• No separation of products needed since the products are homogenous in diameter and orientation
• The template feedstock for nanotube growth is readily available and relatively inexpensive

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

Current methods of nanotube production result in mixtures of products that include single-walled, multi-walled, chiral, and achiral nanotubes of varying lengths and diameters. Furthermore, the methods for isolating one particular variety of nanotube from such mixtures are highly inefficient and have been possible only on small scales, often relying on complexation with DNA or modification of the nanotube structure.

Owing to the inaccessibility of homogenous samples of uniform carbon nanotubes, it has been impossible for scientists to develop technologies that require just one type of pure nanotube. This method circumvents these problems by allowing for the design and execution of rational chemical syntheses of nanotubes.

File Number: 2008.007/sco

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