Review on CNT

Carbon nanotubes are buckytubes, in carbon nanotubes carbon molecules are in

cylinderical shape and have unique properties that
make carbon nanotubes used in different areas. they have properties like thermal,
electrical and mechanical properties[5]. carbon
nanotubes have fullerene like structure and having graphene sheets which contain
sp2 hybridisation of each carbon atom[6].

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318, 162 (1985). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/318162a0

A carbon nanotube (CNT) is a hexagonal array of carbon atoms rolled up into a long, thin,
hollow cylinder [2] and are known for their size, shape, and remarkable physical properties.
They can be manipulated chemically and physically for their application in material science,
electronics, energy management, biomedical application and many more.

1. Masciangioli T, W-X Zhang (2003) Environmental Technologies at the nanoscale. Environ Sci
Technol 37(5): 102A-108A.

Properties of Carbon Nanotubes

Strength: Carbon nanotubes have a higher tensile strength than steel and Kevlar. This
strength originates from sp2 bonds between the individual carbon atoms. Carbon
nanotubes are not only strong, they are also elastic. Upon application of force, nanotube can
bend and returns to its original shape when the force is removed. A nanotube’s elasticity
does have a limit, and under very strong forces, it is possible to permanently deform to
shape of a nanotube. A nanotube’s strength can be weakened by defects in the structure of
the nanotube. Defects occur from atomic vacancies or a rearrangement of the carbon
bonds. Defects in the structure can cause a small segment of the nanotube to become
weaker, which in turn causes the tensile strength of the entire nanotube to weaken. The
tensile strength of a nanotube depends on the strength of the weakest segment in the tube
similar to the way the strength of a chain.
Electrical Properties: The sp2 bonds between carbon atoms results in conducting
nature of carbon nanotubes. They can also withstand strong electric currents because of
the strong nature of bonds. Single walled nanotubes can route electrical signals at speeds
up to 10 GHz when used as interconnects on semi-conducting devices. Their electronic
properties can be manipulatedby application of external magnetic field, mechanical force
etc.
Thermal Stability: Carbon nanotubes are able to withstand high temperatures, thus acting as
very good thermal conductors. The temperature stability of carbon nanotubes is estimated to
be upto 28000oC and about 750oC in air. The carbon nanotubes are shown to transmit over 15
times the amount of watt per minute as compared to copper wires [16].

1. Collins PG, Bradley K, Ishigami M (2000) Extreme oxygen sensitivity of electronic properties of carbon
nanotubes. Science 287(5459): 1801- 1804

3. Properties
CNTs reportedly have extremely high surface areas, large aspect ratios, and
remarkably high mechanical strength. The tensile strength of CNTs is 100 times
greater than that of steel, and the electrical and thermal conductivities approach
those of copper [27,28]. These unique properties make CNTs good candidates as
fillers in different polymers and ceramics to realize desirable consumer products
[29,30]. It has also been predicted that CNT-based field-effect transistors (FETs)
will soon supplant their silicon-based analog counterparts [31]. CNTs are also
good incorporating agents due to their unique electrical, mechanical and thermal
properties.
[27] Ebbesen TW, Lezec HJ, Hiura H, Bennett JW, Ghaemi HF, Thio T. Electrical conductivity
of individual carbon nanotubes. Nature, 382, 54 (1996). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/382054a0.
[28] Treacy MMJ, Ebbesen TW, Gibson JM. Exceptionally high Young’s modulus observed for
individual carbon nanotubes. Nature, 381, 678 (1996). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/381678a0.
[29] Chang TE, Jensen LR, Kisliuk A, Pipes RB, Pyrz R, Sokolov AP. Microscopic mechanism
of reinforcement in single-wall carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposite. Polymer, 46,
439 (2005). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2004.11.030.
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14, 1 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.5714/ CL.2012.14.1.001.
[31] Wepasnick KA, Smith BA, Bitter JL, Howard Fairbrother D. Chemical and structural
characterization of carbon nanotube surfaces. Anal Bioanal Chem, 396, 1003 (2010).
http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s00216-009-3332-5.

PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBES

A number of properties result from the regular formation of carbon atoms in graphene cylinders.
Carbon nanotubes are a huge cylindrical large molecule consisting of a hexagonal arrangement of sp2
hybridized carbon atoms (C-C distance is about 1.4 Ǻ). The wall of CNTs consists of single or multiple
layers of graphene sheets, of which those formed by rolling up of single sheet are called single-walled
carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and those formed by rolling up of more than one sheet are called multi-
walled CNTs (MWCNTs). Both SWCNTs and MWCNTs are capped at both ends of the tubes in a
hemispherical arrangement of carbon networks called fullerenes warped up by the graphene sheet (Figure
1). The interlayer separation of the graphene layers of MWCNTs measures approximately 0.34 nm on
average, each forming an individual tube, with all the tubes having a larger outer diameter (2.5 to 100 nm)
than SWCNTs (0.6 to 2.4 nm). SWCNTs have a better defined wall, whereas MWCNTs are more likely
to have structural defects, resulting in a less stable nanostructure. In the medical field, three main
attributes of CNTs have been exploited:
· Their small size.
· Their high surface area to volume ratio.
· Their ability to contain chemicals.
Carbon nanotubes can be produced small enough to pass through holes in tumours or to transport DNA
(Singh et al.,2005) The large surface to volume ratio provides a good platform for efficient transportation
of chemicals and for the reactions needed for ultra-sensitive glucose detection (Muguruma et al., 2007).

FIGURE 1 - The structure of SWCNTs with the two ends closed (Taylor et al.,2011)

CNTs exhibit excellent chemical and physical properties such as high

tensile strength, ultra-light weight, special electronic structures and high
chemical and thermal stability. Because of these exceptional properties,
scientists have developed an immense interest in these nanomaterials.
Among carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes are most exploited for
various applications. The main applications of carbon nanotube include
biomolecule, drug, and drug delivery to the targeted organs, biosensor
diagnostic and analysis [10].
[10] J. Che, T. Cagin, W.A. Goddard III, Thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes,
Nanotechnology (2000).