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Updated September 2011 Carbon Nanotubes
Updated September 2011
CarbonNanotubes
Updated September 2011
Carbon nanotubes—a girl’s best friend?
The diamond has long been
considered the hardest mineral
on earth until now!
DiamondEnlargedNanotubes
Photo by NRELcc by Gregory Phillips
Updated September 2011
What on earth are carbon nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are carbon structures with special properties that make them useful in a wide range of scientific and everyday applications.
cc by Michael Ströck
Updated September 2011
There are four distinct forms of carbon:
Fullerene
GraphiteDiamond
Nanotube
cc by Gregory Phillips
cc by Sauperad
cc by Guillaume Paumier
cc by Eurico Zimbres
Updated September 2011
Each form of carbon has its own unique properties determined by the arrangement of atoms within it.CNTs exist in three different forms. Even though the differences are very small, they cause each one to have its own unique properties.
Zigzag Armchair Chiral Images cc by Michael Ströck
Updated September 2011
Carbon nanotubes are different from other natural materials. The CNT’s incredibly small size and distinct properties allow it to do things other materials cannot do.
These special properties include increased electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and tensile strength.
Updated September 2011
CNTs are extremely strong. A one-inch thick rope made of CNTs is 100 times stronger and 1/6 the weight of steel. Can you imagine a building built with ropes instead of steel or an elephant on a platform supported by CNT ropes?
cc by Follix
Updated September 2011
The special properties of these tiny structures make CNTs useful for several current and future applications in the electronics field.
Photo by Mike 1024
Updated September 2011
The possible uses for carbon nanotubes are still being explored. Some of the earliest and most successful uses have been in electronics.
Take a look at the chart on the next slide to see additional possibilities.
Updated September 2011
Practical Use or Science Fiction?Use Description Obstacles Feasibility
(0=Still Dreaming, 4=Ready for Market)
Sharper Scanning Microscope
A carbon nanotube is used as the tip for an atomic force microscope, giving a much higher resolution than titanium-tipped probes.
Has only been tested on small fragments of DNA
4
Mechanical Memory Carbon Nanotubes would be used as a binary switching device
Not as fast as current processor technology
2
Nanotweezers Two nanotubes are attached to glass rods and used to move objects that are up to 500 nm in size.
CNTs are sticky, making it hard to manipulate things
2
Source: Understanding Nanotechnology
Updated September 2011
Practical Use or Science Fiction?Use Description Obstacles Feasibility
(0=Still Dreaming, 4=Ready for Market)
Hydrogen and Ion Storage
CNTs could possibly store hydrogen and release them later, making for efficient fuel cells.
Preliminary testing has not produced an efficient fuel cell
1
Super Strong Materials
Embedded in a composite, carbon nanotubes are extremely resilient and strong. Could be used to make “unbreakable” car bodies or building materials
CNTs are still up to 1,000 times more expensive than current carbon fibers
2
Supersensitive Sensors
Semiconducting nanotubes change their resistance when exposed to certain elements—could be used as chemical sensors
CNTs are super-sensitive, so they may not be able to distinguish between chemicals
3
Source: Understanding Nanotechnology
Updated September 2011
Build a Balloon Nanotube Model
Image by HighPoint Learning
Updated September 2011
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable. The series was funded in part by: The National Science FoundationGrant DUE-0702976and the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.
Updated September 2011
Image Credits Cdang. (Photographer). Gunt WP300 tensile testing machine, for educational purpose. [Digital Image]. France.
Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Jordan, Chuck (Photographer). Apple TV and Sony flatscreen TV on display at Macworld San Francisco 2007. [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Mike1024. (Photographer). 28 pin MLP integrated circuit [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Photographer), Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image], United States, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Paumier, Guillaume (Designer) Carbon Nanotube.svg [Digital Image], France, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Phillips, Gregory (Photographer), CZ_Brilliant.jpg [Digital Image], Canada, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Saperaud (Designer) Fullerene-C60.png [Digital Image], Germany, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Updated September 2011
Image Credits
Süssbrich, Rolf (Photographer). Small Transistor Metal 1.jpg. [Digital Image]. Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Ströck, Michael (Designer) Types of Carbon Nanotubes.jpg [Digital Image], Austria, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Zimbres, Eurico (Photographer), GrafitaEZ.jpg [Digital Image], Brazil, Wikimedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org)
Updated September 2011
References Scientific American Editors. Understanding Nanotechnology (2002). [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Weichman, Joe. Science Happens (2009). [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Williams, Linda and Dr. Wade Adams. (2007). Nanotechnology Demystified. [Kindle Version] doi: 10.1036/0071460233
Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
