Carbon nanostructures self-assembly

Chapter 31 - High-temperature quantum chemical molecular dynamics simulations of carbon nanostructure self-assembly processes. Pages 875-889, Stephan Irle, Guishan Zheng, Marcus Elstnerand Keiji Morokuma... 

High-temperature quantum chemical molecular dynamics simulations of carbon nanostructure self-assembly processes... 

Rodriguez AT, Li XF, Wang J, Steen WA, Fan HY (2007) Facile synthesis of nanostructured carbon through self-assembly between block copolymers and carbohydrates. Adv Funct Mater 17 2710-2716... 

Moreover, nanostructured materials are useful for the construction of NE. For example, a carbon NE has been reported by sealing of a carbon nanotube under an insulator layer [27]. NE ensembles have been obtained through self-assembling of gold nanoparticles [28] and carbon nanotubes [29] at derivatized substrates. Another interesting approach is the direct growth of carbon nanotubes on electrodes with dispersed catalytic nickel nanoparticles. In this case, highly dispersed carbon NE ensembles can be constructed [30]. 

The synthesis of nanostructured carbon using aliphatic alcohols as selfassembling molecules has demonstrated that this strategy can be extended beyond metal oxide-based materials [38]. Recently, we have reported the synthesis of a novel carbon material with tunable porosity by using a liquid-crystalline precursor containing a surfactant and a carbon-yielding chemical, furfuryl alcohol. The carbonization of the cured self-assembled carbon precursor produces a new carbon material with both controlled porosity and electrical conductivity. The unique combination of both features is advantageous for many relevant applications. For example, when tested as a supercapacitor electrode, specific capacitances over 120 F/g were obtained without the need to use binders, additives, or activation to increase surface area [38]. The proposed synthesis method is versatile and economically attractive, and allows for the precise control of the structure. 

These examples of functionalization of carbon nanotubes demonstrate that the chemistry of this new class of molecules represents a promising field within nanochemistry. Functionalization provides for the potential for the manipulation of their unique properties, which can be tuned and coupled with those of other classes of materials. The surface chemistry of SWCNTs allows for dispersibility, purification, solubilization, biocompatibility and separation of these nanostructures. Additionally, derivatization allows for site-selective nanochemistry applications such as self-assembly, shows potential as catalytic supports, biological transport vesicles, demonstrates novel charge-transfer properties and allows the construction of functional nanoarchitectures, nanocomposites and nanocircuits. 

The results given indicate the electrochemical method for the synthesis of nanostructured carbon materials to be promising. In the reaction space, dissipative self-assembly of carbon compounds takes place by the action of electric discharges. In this case, structures of new type can be formed, which are transitional between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fullerenes, nanotubes. 

When the composite-matrix is formed with a polystyrene solution as a dispersion medium, the self-assembly of silica particles is influenced by the adsorption of macromolecules on their surface. During adsorption, both solitary macromolecules and their aggregates transfer simultaneously onto the adsorbent surface. Depending on solution concentration, not only the conformation of adsorbed molecules but also the number and size of macromolecular aggregates in the solution change on adsorption. This leads to the formation of complex-shaped structures, which are linked by a system of nonvalent interactions and consist of polymeric-inorganic blocks[8,14] this is of interest in the preparation of a nanostructured medium (polystyrene-silica gel) as a precomposite for the fabrication of carbon structures in a matrix of silica particles. 

FIGURE 2.2 Supramolecular nanostructures for light driven energy and electron transfer. This research is focused on rational design and study of self-assembled porphyrin, fullerene, and carbon nanotube bearing supramolecular complexes and nanostructures. 

Yang YK, Xie XL, Wu JG et al (2006) Synthesis and self-assembly of polystyrene-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a hairy-rod nanostructure. J Polym Sd Polym Chem 44 3869-3881... 

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