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Network Covalent Solids

Network Covalent Solids

Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...

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Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies

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Soft materials with graphitic nanostructures.

Takuzo Aida¹, Takanori Fukushima

¹Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. aida@macro.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences

|April 13, 2007

Summary

Researchers developed novel soft materials using carbon nanotubes. These materials include printable actuators and electroconductive composites, offering new possibilities for advanced material applications.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising nanomaterials with unique electrical and mechanical properties.
Developing stable, well-dispersed CNT-based materials is challenging.
Soft materials with tunable properties are in high demand for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent studies on novel soft materials based on carbon nanotubes.
To highlight the development of printable actuators and electroconductive polymer/nanotube composites.
To introduce a new class of nanotubular graphite materials.

Main Methods:

Formation of physical gels (bucky gels) by suspending single-walled carbon nanotubes in ionic liquids.
Exfoliation of CNT bundles through grinding in agate mortars.
Utilizing polymerizable ionic liquids for composite formation.
Self-assembly of amphiphilic hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivatives to create nanotubular graphite.

Main Results:

Development of the first printable actuators operating in air without external electrolytes, using bucky gels.
Creation of electroconductive polymer/nanotube composites with improved mechanical properties via polymerizable ionic liquids.
Synthesis of electroconductive nanotubular graphite through self-assembly of HBC derivatives.
Demonstration of tunable properties in HBC-based nanotubes by varying functional groups.

Conclusions:

Carbon nanotube-based bucky gels enable the creation of advanced soft materials, including long-lasting printable actuators.
Polymerizable ionic liquids enhance the properties of CNT composites, leading to electroconductive materials with superior mechanical strength.
Self-assembled amphiphilic hexabenzocoronene derivatives offer a new route to functional nanotubular graphite with tunable conductivity.