Carbon Black Nanomaterials

Several types of conductive nanomaterials have been explored in the constraction of BFCs, and a large emphasis has been placed on carbon materials with nanometric dimensions. Specifically, carbon black nanomaterials (CBNs), graphene, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used to constmct bio-nano interfaces with the intent to optimize ET processes. In this section, these three nanostmctured carbon materials will be briefly discussed, followed by two archetypal carbon assemblies that approach hierarchical stmctures CNT-decorated porous carbon architectures and buckypaper (BP). 

CBNs arc also suitable for constmction of gas diifiision electrodes (GDEs). The modification of CBN with emulsions of Teflon or other highly hydrophobic polymers, such as polyvinylidene difluoride, results in a composite material with a triphase  

Because of electrode surface area enhancement and their high aspect ratio, CNTs support the production of high current density when used to construct enzyme cathodes and anodes. CNTs are constructed as multiwalled (MWCNT) or single-walled (SWCNT) configurations with various chiral vectors. Engineering the bio-nano interface involves careful selection and application of CNTs with specific properties that enhance DET between the conductive carbon architecture and the biocatalyst. Electrodes composed of (or decorated with) CNTs have a larger surface area for enzyme immobihzation than conventional carbon surfaces the enlarged electrode surface area increases the current density. 

HIERARCHICAL MATERIALS ARCHITECTURES EOR ENZYMATIC FUEL CELLS 

FIGURE 10.2 Relative dimensions of GOx molecule (6nm) compared with typical MWCNT and SWCNT. The MWCNT has a diameter of 10-25 nm, whereas that of the SWCNT is 1-2 nm. 

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Many nanomaterials can be made in different forms. We are familiar with the example of carbon, which we can find as diamond films, carbon black, fullerenes, and multi- and single-walled nanotubes. M0S2 can be made as nanotubes, onions (multi-walled fullerene-type structures), and thin films. 

Fig. 12.24 Raman spectra of carbon nanomaterials and corresponding optical images of (a) carbon black (514-rnn excitation) and (b) nanodiamond (325-nm laser excitation) before and after laser-induced light emission, recorded in Ar atmosphere. Carbon black is evaporated by the laser and redeposited as amorphous carbon around the excitation spot. ND is evaporated or transformed into graphitic carhon upon irradiation. The scale bar in the photograph is 15 pm...

To make coagulated bulk nanomaterials (Fig. 11.2), for example fumed silica or carbon black, more suitable for industrial applications, a controlled aggregation... 

Details Black crystal/amorphous powder, used in the processing of rubber and plastics as a reinforcing agent, as well as in paints. Carbon black is produced by the incomplete combustion of petroleum products. It has an extremely high surface to volume ratio, and it is one of the first nanomaterials to be commonly used. 

To ground the readers and provide benchmarks for comparisons of the SMPlNCs, Section 2 presents a brief outline of recent advances in shape memory polymer-organic composites, with a focus on carbon nanomaterials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon black. 

While nanomaterials are in existence for quite some time in products such as catalysts, carbon black, pigments and other simple oxide nanopowders, in today s developing nanoceramic materials industry the emergence of low-cost, high-volume, novel manufacturing processes offer the chance of complex compositions with a level of precision and a range of properties that were, in the past, either too difficult to achieve or economically not feasible. 

Generally, at least one critical dimension of dispersed particles in nanocomposites must be in the nanometer range (<100nm). Typical nanomaterials, which are currently under investigation, are classified by their geometries. Silica nanoparticles and carbon black are examples of nanoparticles, while carbon nanotubes and nanofibers are classified as fibrous nanomaterials. Silicate layers with platelike structure belong to the family of layered nanomaterials [4]. 

One of the first use of nanomaterials in Li-ion batteries was as electronic percolator, since carbon black is a cheap and easy way to increase electrode conductivity. Many different carbon types... 

Nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes (CNT) [115-118], carbon black [119], metal nanoparticles [120,121]) can be incorporated in PDMS to improve its performance in microfluidics and impart superior thermal and electrical conductivity [115, 120] or mechanical flexibility [115]. Other polymers can be admixed as additives into siloxane prepolymer formulation and cured together during the molding step [122]. Microfluidic devices with integrated components (pumps, valves, heaters, sensors, sorters) made of nanocomposite materials exhibit better performance not only as adjustable conductive zones, but also allow for adhesion and immobilization of bioparticles. 

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