After the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by Sumio Iijima in 1991, several methods have been developed to synthesize them. High-temperature techniques, such as laser ablation and arc discharge, are now replaced by a low-temperature technique like chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) method is extensively researched due to its ease of fabrication, mass production at low cost and high purity output. The motive of this paper is to discuss the influence of three major factors on the growth of CNTs using the FCCVD method, which can help us better understand the process of FCCVD as well as the potential challenges faced by this method.
Decades of extensive research have matured the development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Still, the properties of macroscale assemblages, such as sheets of carbon nanotubes, are not good enough to satisfy many applications. This paper gives an overview of different approaches to synthesize CNTs and then focuses on the floating catalyst method to form CNT sheets. A method is also described in this paper to modify the properties of macroscale carbon nanotube sheets produced by the floating catalyst method. The CNT sheet is modified to form a carbon nanotube hybrid (CNTH) sheet by incorporating metal, ceramic, or other types of nanoparticles into the high-temperature synthesis process to improve and customize the properties of the traditional nanotube sheet. This paper also discusses manufacturing obstacles and the possible commercial applications of the CNT sheet and CNTH sheet. Manufacturing problems include the difficulty of injecting dry nanoparticles uniformly, increasing the output of the process to reduce cost, and safely handling the hydrogen gas generated in the process. Applications for CNT sheet include air and water filtering, energy storage applications, and compositing CNTH sheets to produce apparel with anti-microbial properties to protect the population from infectious diseases. The paper also provides an outlook towards large scale commercialization of CNT material.
This paper describes innovative work in the manufacturing of carbon nanotube (CNT) fabric and tape and how these materials can be used in textiles and fashion apparel. The field of CNT fabric is new and this article discusses the potential commercial impact of CNT fabric, the manufacturing barriers that currently exist, and provides suggestions to push the field towards large scale commercialization. Areas under investigation for commercialization of CNT fabric, tape and yarn include flexible heaters, filter membranes, smart textiles, electrical machines, hybrid fabric, and biomedical wire.
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