Facile synthesis of highly aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes from polymer precursors.

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009 · JNM

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/562376· OSTI ID:960354

Han, C Y; Xiao, Z -L; Wang, H H; Lin, X -M; Trasobares, S; Cook, R E; Daley Coll, Richard J

We report a facile one-step approach which involves no flammable gas, no catalyst, and no in situ polymerization for the preparation of well-aligned carbon nanotube array. A polymer precursor is placed on top of an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane containing regular nanopore arrays, and slow heating under Ar flow allows the molten polymer to wet the template through adhesive force. The polymer spread into the nanopores of the template to form polymer nanotubes. Upon carbonization the resulting multi-walled carbon nanotubes duplicate the nanopores morphology precisely. The process is demonstrated for 230, 50, and 20 nm pore membranes. The synthesized carbon nanotubes are characterized with scanning/transmission electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy, and resistive measurements. Convenient functionalization of the nanotubes with this method is demonstrated through premixing CoPt nanoparticles in the polymer precursors.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 960354
• Report Number(s): ANL/MSD/JA-63024
• Journal Information: JNM, Journal Name: JNM Journal Issue: 2009 Vol. 2009
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ALIGNMENT
CARBON
CARBONIZATION
NANOTUBES
POLYMERS
PRECURSOR
SYNTHESIS