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Quantifying the Hierarchical Order in Self-Aligned Carbon Nanotubes from Atomic to Micrometer Scale
Eric R Meshot1, Darwin W Zwissler1, Ngoc Bui1
1Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory , 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, United States.
ACS Nano
|April 18, 2017
Summary
This study quantitatively maps the multiscale structure of carbon nanotube (CNT) forests using X-ray scattering. We reveal how CNT order decreases with smaller structural features and correlates with forest density and defects.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physics
Background:
- Understanding structure-property relationships in nanostructures is key for new functionalities.
- Quantifying structure across multiple length scales in hierarchically organized materials is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively map the multiscale structure of carbon nanotube (CNT) forests.
- To correlate structural features across different length scales and understand their impact on material properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nondestructive X-ray scattering techniques.
- Analyzed structural features from atomic (2.0 Å) to microscale (1.5 μm).
Main Results:
- Resolved atomic lattice, CNT diameter, ensemble structure, and large-scale corrugations.
- Demonstrated a cascading decrease in orientational order with finer structural features.
- Established correlations between multiscale order, CNT density, diameter, wall number, and defects.
- Modeled large-scale CNT forest morphology, linking scattering features to microscale corrugations.
Conclusions:
- X-ray scattering provides comprehensive multiscale structural insights into CNT forests.
- Multiscale structural order is sensitive to CNT density, individual CNT characteristics, and defects.
- Understanding these relationships is vital for designing advanced CNT materials and other hierarchical nanostructures.