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Carbon microtubes: tuning internal diameters and conical angles.
Gopinath Bhimarasetti1, John M Cowley, Mahendra K Sunkara
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Nanotechnology
|July 6, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to create carbon microtubes (CMTs) with precise control over their shape and size. This synthesis strategy utilizes gas dosing to precisely tune the conical angles and internal diameters of these novel carbon nanostructures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Carbon-based nanomaterials offer unique properties for diverse applications.
- Controlling the morphology of carbon nanostructures is crucial for tailoring their functionality.
- Existing methods for synthesizing curved carbon structures often lack precise control over key parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel synthesis strategy for producing carbon microtubes (CMTs).
- To demonstrate absolute control over the conical angles and internal diameters of CMTs.
- To characterize the structural properties of the synthesized CMTs.
Main Methods:
- Employing nitrogen or oxygen dosing during the growth process.
- Modulating the wetting behavior of gallium metal with growing carbon walls.
- Utilizing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy for characterization.
Main Results:
- Achieved precise control over CMT conical angles, ranging from +25° to -20°.
- Demonstrated tuning of internal diameters from nanometres to microns by controlling gas dosing timing.
- Characterized CMT walls as composed of aligned graphite nanocrystals (2-5 nm).
- Observed alignment of graphite nanocrystals' c-axes perpendicular to the wall surface.
Conclusions:
- The developed synthesis strategy enables the creation of hollow, curved carbon morphologies with unprecedented control.
- The precise control over CMT geometry opens avenues for tailored applications in nanotechnology.
- The structural analysis confirms the high quality and specific alignment of graphitic nanocrystals within the CMT walls.
