Quantitative assessment of the effect of purity on the properties of single wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We quantitatively demonstrate the importance of high purity for the application of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), materials solely composed of one surface, by examining the effects of carbon impurities on the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of both as-grown SWCNT forests and processed buckypaper. While decreases in properties were expected, our results showed the extreme sensitivity of SWCNT properties to carbonaceous impurities either through scattering in the individual SWCNTs or an inhibition of the ability to form inter-SWCNT junctions. Each property showed a nonlinear decrease (as high as 40%) with the addition of low levels of carbon impurities (∼15 wt%), which demonstrates that purity is as important as the crystalline structure.

Effect of tetrahedral amorphous carbon coating on the resistivity and wear of single-walled carbon nanotube network

“…The increase in the D peak intensity observed in case of evaporated carbon coated samples could be attributed to the presence of amorphous carbon layer which has a behaviour similar to the carbonaceous impurities as shown in the literature. 23 The intensity of RBM and G peak also reduces in comparison to the pristine sample due to the evaporated carbon film as shown in the literature. 23 From the SEM images and TEM micrographs (see supplementary Fig.…”

“…23 The intensity of RBM and G peak also reduces in comparison to the pristine sample due to the evaporated carbon film as shown in the literature. 23 From the SEM images and TEM micrographs (see supplementary Fig. S1 24 ), it was observed that the evaporated carbon film forms a coating on the SWCNTN.…”

One millimeter per minute growth rates for single wall carbon nanotube forests enabled by porous metal substrates

“…Using both TGA and nitrogen adsorption purity analysis techniques, the highest reported purity for SWCNTs was 99.98% carbon purity and a specic surface area $1250 m 2 g À1 . 6,32,33 Therefore, the reported carbon purity of 99.3% and specic surface area 1180 m 2 g À1 stands among the highest reported.…”

Critical challenges and advances in the carbon nanotube–metal interface for next-generation electronics

“…17 Carbonaceous impurities also deteriorate the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of CNTs. 18 Moreover, research has come to light that the initial claims regarding the outstanding electrochemical performance of CNTs with applications in sensors and energy storage, are influenced by the CNT impurities. [19][20][21] Therefore, various processes are developed and implemented to remove the impurities.…”