Double-walled carbon nanotubes: synthesis, structural characterization, and application

Abstract

Double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are considered an ideal model for studying the coupling interactions between different concentric shells in multi-walled CNTs. Due to their intrinsic coaxial structures they are mechanically, thermally, and structurally more stable than single walled CNTs. Geometrically, owing to the buffer-like function of the outer tubes in DWCNTs, the inner tubes exhibit exciting transport and optical properties that lend them promise in the fabrication of field-effect transistors, stable field emitters, and lithium ion batteries. In addition, by utilizing the outer tube chemistry, DWCNTs can be useful for anchoring semiconducting quantum dots and also as effective multifunctional fillers in producing tough, conductive transparent polymer films. The inner tubes meanwhile preserve their excitonic transitions. This article reviews the synthesis of DWCNTs, their electronic structure, transport, and mechanical properties, and their potential uses.

A Review of Double-Walled and Triple-Walled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis and Applications

“…In this growth method, the CNT growth occurs at a higher temperature than by the other methods for the preparation of DWNTs, such as the CCVD method. By the annealing of molecules encapsulated with the SWNT, it is widely accepted that the arc discharge-produced CNTs exhibit high crystallinity and low defect density [21,[73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83]. While arc discharge-produced DWNTs exhibit a high oxidation temperature close to 800 • C, the defect healing at high temperature was proposed as a justification for the high quality product outcomes [73,74].…”

“…In the past two decades, major progress has been made first towards synthesizing or isolating semiconducting nanotubes, metallic nanotubes and later (n, m)-specific samples. These major advances give an additional boost to carbon nanotube science [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. These advances brought along the capability of synthesizing better SWNT (n, m)-specific samples and also provide more capability for synthesizing DWNT and TWNT samples containing either only DWNTs or only TWNTs [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

Large-Diameter Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Formed Alongside Small-Diameter Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

“…1,2 Firstly, their coaxial structure makes them mechanically, thermally, and structurally more stable than single-wall CNTs (SWCNTs). Secondly, many applications require CNT functionalization in order to improve their ability towards dispersion or their compatibility with the external environment.…”

Chlorinated holey double-walled carbon nanotubes for relative humidity sensors

“…In the family of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), double walled CNTs (DWCNTs) occupy a place between single walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi walled CNTs (MWCNTs) [1]. DWCNTs are composed of two coaxial cylindrical walls, and the inter wall interactions have an impact on their electronic structure and properties, like in MWCNTs [2].…”