EEE514

CARBON NANOTUBES,
INORGANIC NANOWIRES
AND FUNCTIONALIZATION

Dr. Anita S. Ethiraj

Associate Professor
 MULTI-WALLED NANOTUBES
Multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) consist of multiple rolled layers of graphene. This
means several tubes are stacked one within the other forming concentric tube like
structure.

The diameter of the MWNTs are typically in the range of 5 nm to 50 nm. The
interlayer distance in MWNT is close to the distance between graphene layers in
graphite.

MWNTs are easier to produce in large quantities than SWNTs. However, the structure
of MWNT is less well understood because of its greater complexity and variety.
Regions of structural imperfection may diminish or even destroy its desirable material
properties.

In addition to SWNTs and MWNTs Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNT) form a
special class of nanotubes because their morphology and properties are similar to
those of SWNT but their resistance to chemicals is significantly improved. This is
especially important when functionalization is required (this means grafting of
chemical functions at the surface of the nanotubes) to add new properties to the CNT.
 There is no three dimensional order between the graphite layers as in
the case of bulk graphite. This is due to the rotational freedom existing
between the tubes which is called turbostratic constraint. The lack of
three dimensional order within a multiwalled nanotube(MWNT) has
been found in atomically resolved STM measurements.

 Important point to remember is it is not possible to fit any arbitrary tube

in a given tube due to lack of space.

 The interlayer distance in multiwalled nanotubes is close to the distance

between graphene layers in graphite, approximately 3.4 A°. Therefore
in case of MWNTs for a tube to fit in another, there must be a gap of at
least of 3.4 A°.

 Example of this can be understood as we can fit a (10,0) tube in a

(19,0) but it is not possible to fit a tube in (18,0) tube.
Diameter :

Chiral angle:
Carbon atoms in Graphite Crystal Lattice
In Graphite Crystal lattice a= 2.4612 A° c=6.7079 A°

where a is the lattice constant in the plane

c is the lattice constant perpendicular to the plane
To describe structure of MWNT there are two models:-
1. Parchment model (Scroll model): A single sheet of graphite is
rolled in around itself, resembling a scroll of parchment or a rolled
up newspaper.

2. Russian doll model : Sheets of graphite are arranged in concentric

Cylinders.
OTHER RELATED STRUCTURES /NANO-
FORMS OF CARBON
• TORUS
• NANOBUD
• CARBON NANO ONIONS
• GRAPHENATED CARBON NANOTUBES (g-CNTS)
• NITROGEN DOPED CARBON NANOTUBES
(N-CNTS)
• PEAPOD
• CUP-STACKED CARBON NANOTUBES
 CARBON NANOTORUS

This is a theoretically described carbon nanotube bent into a torus (doughnut shape).
Unique Properties such as magetic moments 1000 times larger than certain specific radii.
Depending on the radius of the torus and the tube the magnetic moment and thermal
stability etc. will vary.
 CARBON NANOBUDS
 Useful properties of both fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.
 Found to be exceptionally 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
CARBON NANO ONIONS

ti o ns
Ap plica s
at t e rie
nB cal
Li-io ochemi
tr
Elec itors di ti ves
ac d
Cap uctive A
d
Con
GRAPHENATED CARBON NANOTUBES (g-CNTS)
Hybrids that combines
Graphitic foliates grown
Along the sidewalls of
MWNTs
Adv: High surface area
three-dimensional
framework of the CNTs
coupled with the high
edge density of graphene

PEAPODS Cup-Stacked CNTs

Exhibit semiconducting
Novel Hybrid carbon behaviors due to the
material which Stacking microstructure
Traps fullerenes inside of graphene layers
a carbon nanotube
 NANO FORMS OF CARBON

BEADED CNTs BRANCHED

COILED CNTs
CNTs
Tetrahedral Junction of four Nanotubes