Preparation, characterization, and application of vertically aligned CNT sheets through template assisted pyrolysis of PBI‐Kapton

Abstract

This article investigates the synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets through the pyrolysis of polybenzimidazole (PBI)‐Kapton inside the pores of anodized aluminium oxide (AAO). The nanocomposites of CNT/Alumina obtained were characterized by several techniques. It was found that the resulting carbon structures presented higher crystallinity compared with graphite. All of the CNT sheets had high antibacterial activity that was proportional to degree of CNT crystallinity. Moreover, the desalination of salty water using CNT sheets was performed. The results demonstrated that the vertically aligned CNT sheets could be used as an effective adsorbent for salty water desalination due to their very high adsorption capacity without CNT leakage into water.

Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Contact angles

“…In five of these papers, CA is only an inlet parameter in a model or a numerical simulation. The twelve remaining involve experimental measurements, all of which were performed with an optical goniometer or derived instruments . The latter enables analysis at a liquid/liquid/solid or a liquid/gas/solid interface instead of a gas/liquid/solid one (Figure ).…”

“…The latter enables analysis at a liquid/liquid/solid or a liquid/gas/solid interface instead of a gas/liquid/solid one (Figure ). Works performed with an optical goniometer mainly employed the static sessile drop method with only two employing dynamic methods . Three studies included qualitative surface analysis through scanning electron microscopy images to estimate the substrate roughness: Ahmmed et al published the only manuscript in which both advancing and receding contact angles are reported and in which an estimation of the hysteresis is provided.…”

“…Studies containing experimental work on contact angles were mostly interested in investigating the wettability of powders: nanoparticles and microparticles . Other surfaces of interest included polymeric films, rocks, and glass .…”

“…Other applications involve nanofluids: in one case, a nanopowder was used as an interfacial modifier to alter the wettability of a reservoir surfaces; in two others, nanoparticles were left in suspension to act as modifiers of the physical properties (viscosity, thermal conductivity, surface tensions) of water or bitumen . Probe liquids employed include water, salted water, toluene, denatured ethanol, n ‐dodecane, bitumen, and various oils …”

“…Contact angle measurements were performed in order to probe the wetting behaviour (usually hydrophobicity or oleophilicity) and assess the success of a modification method (application (1), red cluster in the Figure ). In two circumstances the hysteresis was investigated (application (2)), either in terms of kinetic hysteresis (penetration of the liquid in a porous substrate) or in terms of surface anisotropy, while in another the free surface energy of the solid was estimated through the OWRK model (application (3)).…”