COURSE: SEMINAR (11ME463)

Eighth Semester Seminar Report

On

‘CARBON NANOTUBES’
For the fulfillment of one credit seminar (11ME463) in the academic session
Jan 2015 - May 2015

Submitted by

AJITESH PRATAP SINGH

USN: 1PI11ME020

Under the Guidance of

Mr. SANGAMESH C M

Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

PES Institute of Technology
100 Feet Ring Road, BSK III Stage, Bangalore-560085
 Department of Mechanical Engineering

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar entitled “CARBON NANOTUBES” is a bonafide work
carried out by AJITESH PRATAP SINGH (USN:1PI11ME020) in partial fulfillment for the
award of degree of Bachelor of Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering,
during the year 2014-2015. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal
assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the department library. The
seminar report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of one
credit seminar course work prescribed for the Bachelor of Engineering Degree.

Signature of the Guide Signature of HOD

Mr. Sangamesh.C.M Dr.V.Krishna
Professor Professor & Head

Name and Signature of the Panel members

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2.
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4.
 1. ABSTRACT

The opportunity for advanced countries lies in building advanced tools needed to make more
tools, and supplying the programming, finance, logistics and marketing required to intelligently
manipulate matter. In this way, manufacturing will continue to pack more information and
knowledge into less matter using less energy, making the world to order. Any individual
interested in learning more about the materials technologies that form the basis of energy
creation, conservation and delivery. We are looking for Advanced Materials for Our Energy
Future. This provides a broad overview of materials research and development areas that have
been identified as having the greatest potential for creating new energy sources or more
effectively conserving current ones. Study of future materials will shape our future material
requirement. Today our requirement of having compact with greater work efficiency is
increasing day by day.
 2. INTRODUCTION

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) take the form of cylindrical carbon molecules and have novel
properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications in nanotechnology,
electronics, optics, and other fields of materials science. They exhibit extraordinary strength and
unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat. Inorganic nanotubes have also
been synthesized.
Manufacturing a nanotube is dependent on applied quantum chemistry, specifically, orbital
hybridization. Nanotubes are composed entirely of sp2 bonds, similar to those of graphite. This
bonding structure, stronger than the sp3 bonds found in diamond, provides the molecules with
their unique strength. Nanotubes naturally align themselves into "ropes" held together by Van der
Waals forces. Under high pressure, nanotubes can merge together, trading some sp2 bonds for
sp3 bonds, giving great possibility for producing strong, unlimited-length wires through high-
pressure nanotube linking.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure. Nanotubes
have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1, significantly larger
than for any other material. These cylindrical carbon molecules have unusual properties, which
are valuable for nanotechnology, electronics, optics and other fields of materials science and
technology. In particular, owing to their extraordinary thermal conductivity and mechanical and
electrical properties, carbon nanotubes find applications as additives to various structural
materials. For instance, nanotubes form a tiny portion of the material(s) in some (primarily
carbon fiber) baseball bats, golf clubs, or car parts.
Nanotubes are members of the fullerene structural family. Their name is derived from their long,
hollow structure with the walls formed by one-atom-thick sheets of carbon, called graphene.
These sheets are rolled at specific and discrete ("chiral") angles and the combination of the
rolling angle and radius decides the nanotube properties; for example, whether the individual
nanotube shell is a metal or semiconductor.
Nanotubes are categorized as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled nanotubes
(MWNTs). Individual nanotubes naturally align themselves into "ropes" held together by van der
Waals forces, more specifically, pi-stacking.
Applied quantum chemistry, specifically, orbital hybridization best describes chemical bonding
in nanotubes. The chemical bonding of nanotubes is composed entirely of sp2 bonds, similar to
those of graphite. These bonds, which are stronger than the sp3 bonds found in alkanes and
diamond, provide nanotubes with their unique strength.
3. LITERATURE
 4. TECHNICAL CONCEPT

Carbon nanotubes are mainly classified into two:-

1. Single-walled Nanotubes (SWNTS);

2. Multi-walled Nanotubes (MWNTS).

4.1 SINGLE-WALLED NANOTUBES (SWNTS)

 A single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) may be thought of as a single atomic layer

thick sheet of graphite (called graphene) rolled into a seamless cylinder.

 Most single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) have a diameter of close to 1 nanometre, with a

tube length that can be many millions of times longer.

 Single-walled nanotubes are an important variety of carbon nanotube because they

exhibit electric properties that are not shared by the multi-walled carbon nanotube
(MWNT) variants.
 Single walled CNTS (Graphical Representation)

4.2 MULTI-WALLED NANOTUBES (MWNT)

 Multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) consist of multiple rolled layers (concentric

tubes) of graphite.

 There are two models which can be used to describe the structures of multi-walled
nanotubes.

 In the Russian Doll model, sheets of graphite are arranged in concentric cylinders.
 In the Parchment model, a single sheet of graphite is rolled in around itself,
resembling a scroll of parchment or a rolled newspaper.(The Russian Doll structure is
observed more commonly).

 The telescopic motion ability of inner shells and their unique mechanical properties
will permit the use of multi-walled nanotubes as main movable arms in coming Nano
mechanical devices.

MULTI-WALLED CNT
 4.3 OTHER CARBON NANOTUBE
STRUCTURES

1. Torus

Carbon nanotube bent into a torus (doughnut shape).Nanotori are predicted to have
many unique properties, such as magnetic moments 1000 times larger than previously
expected for certain specific radii. Properties such as magnetic moment, thermal
stability, etc. vary widely depending on radius of the torus and radius of the tube.

2. Nanobud

Carbon Nanobud are a newly created material combining two previously discovered
allotropes of carbon: carbon nanotubes and fullerenes. In this new material, fullerene-
like "buds" are covalently bonded to the outer sidewalls of the underlying carbon. They
good field emitters. In composite materials, the attached fullerene molecules may
function as molecular anchors preventing slipping of the nanotubes, thus improving the
composite’s mechanical properties.
3. GRAPHENATED CARBON NANOTUBES (G-CNTS)

Graphenated CNTs are a relatively new hybrid that combines graphitic foliates grown along
the sidewalls of multi walled or bamboo style CNTs use in super capacitor applications.

4. PEAPOD

A Carbon peapod] is a novel hybrid carbon material which traps fullerene inside a carbon
nanotube.

5. CUP-STACKED CARBON NANOTUBES

CSCNTs exhibit semiconducting behaviors due to the stacking microstructure of graphene

layers.

6. NITROGEN DOPED CARBON NANOTUBES

N-doping provides defects in the walls of CNT's allowing for Li ions to diffuse into inter-wall
space. It also increases capacity by providing more favorable bind of N-doped sites. N-CNT's are
also much more reactive to metal oxide nanoparticle deposition which can further enhance
storage capacity, especially in anode materials for Li-ion batteries. However Boron doped
nanotubes have been shown to make batteries with triple capacity.

4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
 4.14
4.15
4.16

4.4 SYNTHESIS OF CARBON NANOTUBES

Techniques have been developed to produce nanotubes, including arc discharge, laser ablation
and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Most of these processes take place in vacuum or with
process gases. CVD growth of CNTs can take place in vacuum or at atmospheric pressure. Large
quantities of nanotubes can be synthesized by these methods; advances in catalysis and
continuous growth processes are making CNTs more commercially viable.

SWNTs and MWNTs are usually made by carbon-arc discharge, laser ablation of carbon, or
chemical vapor deposition (typically on catalytic particle). Nanotube diameters range from 0.4 to
3 nm for SWNTs and from 1.4 to at least 100 nm for MWNTs. Nanotube properties can thus be
tuned by changing the diameter. Unfortunately, SWNTs are presently produced only on a small
scale and are extremely expensive. All currently known synthesis methods for SWNTs result in
major concentrations of impurities. These impurities are typically removed by acid treatment,
which introduces other impurities, can degrade nanotube length and perfection, and adds to
nanotube cost.

MWNTs produced catalytically by gas-phase pyrolysis, like the Hyperion nanotubes, have high
defect densities compared to those produced by the more expensive carbon- arc process.
 4.5 PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBES

1. Strength:-

Carbon nanotubes are the strongest, flexible and stiffest materials yet discovered in terms of
tensile strength and elastic modulus respectively.

This strength results from the covalent sp2 bonds formed between the individual carbon atoms
(which is stronger than the sp3 bonds found in Diamond & Alkenes).
CNTs are not nearly as strong under compression. Because of their hollow structure and high
aspect ratio, they tend to undergo buckling when placed under compressive, torsional or bending
stress.

2. Hardness:-

The hardness (152 Gpa) and bulk modulus (462–546) of carbon nanotubes are greater than
diamond, which is considered the hardest material. (: that of diamond is 150GPa & 420GPa).

3. Kinetic Property:-

Multi-walled nanotubes, multiple concentric nanotubes precisely nested within one another;
exhibit a striking telescoping property whereby an inner nanotube core may slide, almost without
friction, within its outer nanotube shell thus creating an atomically perfect linear or rotational
bearing, the precise positioning of atoms to create useful machines.

4. Electrical Properties:-

Because of the symmetry and unique electronic structure of graphene, the structure of a nanotube
strongly affects its electrical properties.-Very high current carrying capacity.

5. Thermal Conductivity:-

All nanotubes are expected to be very good thermal conductors along the tube.( Measurements
show that a SWNT has a room-temperature thermal conductivity more than copper.)

6. EM Wave absorption:-
Current military push for radar absorbing materials (RAM) to better the stealth characteristics of
aircraft and other military vehicles. (There has been some research on filling MWNTs with
metals, such as Fe, Ni, Co, etc., to increase the absorption effectiveness of MWNTs in the
microwave regime).

7. Thermal properties:-

All nanotubes are expected to be very good thermal conductors along the tube, but good
insulators laterally to the tube axis. (Measurements show that a SWNT has a room-temperature
thermal conductivity along its axis of about 3500 W·m−1·K−1;] compare this to copper, a metal
well known for its good thermal conductivity, which transmits 385 W·m−1·K−1.).

4.6 ADVANTAGES

1. Extremely small and lightweight.

2. Resources required to produce them are plentiful, and many can be made with only a small
amount of material.

3. Are resistant to temperature changes, meaning they function almost just as well in extreme
cold as they do in extreme heat.

4. Improves conductive, mechanical, and flame barrier properties of plastics and composites.

5. Enables clean, bulk micromachining and assembly of components.

6. Improves conductive, mechanical, and flame barrier properties of plastics and composites.
 4.7 DISADVANTAGES

1. Despite all the research, scientists still don't understand exactly how they work.

2. Extremely small, so are difficult to work with.

3. Currently, the process is relatively expensive to produce the nanotubes.

4. Would be expensive to implement this new technology in and replace the older technology in
all the places that we could.

5. At the rate our technology has been becoming obsolete, it may be a gamble to bet on this
technology.

5. CONCLUSION

Nanotubes appear destined to open up a host of new practical applications and help improve our
understanding of basic physics at the nonmetric scale.

Nanotechnology is predicted to spark a series of industrial revolutions in the next two decades
that will transform our lives to a far greater extent than silicon microelectronics did in the 20th
century. Carbon nanotubes could play a pivotal role in this upcoming revolution if their
remarkable structural, electrical and mechanical properties can be exploited.
The remarkable properties of carbon nanotubes may allow them to play a crucial role in the
relentless drive towards miniaturization scale.

Lack of commercially feasible synthesis and purification methods is the main reason that carbon
nanotubes are still not widely used nowadays. At the moment, nanotubes are too expensive and
cannot be produced selectively. Some of the already known and upcoming techniques look
promising for economically feasible production of purified carbon nanotubes.

Some future applications of carbon nanotubes look very promising. All we need are better
production technique for large amounts of purified nanotubes that have to be found in the near
future. Nanotube promises to open up a way to new applications that might be cheaper, lower in
weight and have a better efficiency.

6. FUTURE SCOPE

The greatness of a single-walled nanotube is that it is a macro-molecule and a crystal at the same
time. The dimensions correspond to extensions of fullerene molecules and the structure can be
reduced to a unit-cell picture, as in the case of perfect crystals. A new predictable (in terms of
atomic structure–property relations) carbon fiber was born. The last decade of research has
shown that indeed the physical properties of nanotubes are remarkable, as elaborated in the
various chapters of this book. A carbon nanotube is an extremely versatile material: it is one of
the strongest materials, yet highly elastic, highly conducting, small in size, but stable, and quite
robust in most chemically harsh environments. It is hard to think of another material that can
compete with nanotubes in versatility.

There are also general challenges that face the development of nanotubes into functional devices
and structures. First of all, the growth mechanism of nanotubes, similar to that of fullerenes, has
remained a mystery .With this handicap; it is not really possible yet to grow these structures in a
controlled way. Especially for electronic applications, which rely on the electronic structure of
nanotubes, this inability to select the size and helicity of nanotubes during growth remains a
drawback. More so, many predictions of device applicability are based on joining Nano-tubes via
the incorporation of topological defects in their lattices. There is no controllable way, as of yet,
of making connections between nanotubes. Some recent reports, however, suggest the possibility
of constructing these interconnected Structures by electron irradiation and by template mediated
growth and manipulation.

For bulk applications, such as fillers in composites, where the atomic structure (helicity) has a
much smaller impact on the resulting properties, the quantities of nanotubes that can be
manufactured still falls far short of what industry would need. There are no available techniques
that can produce nanotubes of reasonable purity and quality in kilogram quantities. The industry
would need tonnage quantities of nanotubes for such applications.

REFERENCE

 EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/CARBONNANOTUBES

 WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM

 HOW STUFF WORKS – WWW.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM

 IMAGES.GOOGLE.CO.IN/IMAGES

 WWW.UNDERSTANDINGNANO.COM/NANOTUBES-CARBON.HTML
 WWW.NANOCYL.COM › CNT EXPERTISE CENTRE

 WWW.PA.MSU.EDU/CMP/CSC/NANOTUBE.HTML