Nanocarbons and Others

This section provides brief insights on some of the most important characterization techniques used for CNTs and other nanocarbons in addition to microscopy-related (i.e. SEM, TEM, AFM, STM) and diffraction (i.e. X-ray, electron) techniques. 

The activity of elemental carbon as a metal-free catalyst is well established for a couple of reactions, however, most literature still deals with the support properties of this material. The discovery of nanostructured carbons in most cases led to an increased performance for the abovementioned reasons, thus these systems attracted remarkable research interest within the last years. The most prominent reaction is the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethylbenzene and other hydrocarbons in the gas phase, which will be introduced in a separate chapter. The conversion of alcohols as well as the catalytic properties of graphene oxide for liquid phase selective oxidations will also be discussed in more detail. The third section reviews individually reported catalytic effects of nanocarbons in organic reactions, as well as selected inorganic reactions. 

It should also be briefly recalled that semiconductors can be added to nanocarbons in different ways, such as using sol-gel, hydrothermal, solvothermal and other methods (see Chapter 5). These procedures lead to different sizes and shapes in semiconductor particles resulting in different types of nanocarbon-semiconductor interactions which may significantly influence the electron-transfer charge carrier mobility, and interface states. The latter play a relevant role in introducing radiative paths (carrier-trapped-centers and electron-hole recombination centers), but also in strain-induced band gap modification [72]. These are aspects scarcely studied, particularly in relation to nanocarbon-semiconductor (Ti02) hybrids, but which are a critical element for their rational design. 

Carbon nanodots and other carbon surface species may act as efficient solid-state sensitizers to promote visible light absorption. In addition, various nanocarbons may act as semiconductors enabling to realize interesting Z-schemes for extended visible light activity. 

Interaction between the catalyst and graphite is considered to be important in understanding of a nanocarbon growth process. The interdependence of catalyst particles shape, orientation and other peculiarities with nanocarbon growth process is of great interest. This paper presents the results of our HRTEM studies of nanocarbon materials, formed with three different catalysts. 

A Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbyne-Like Materials and Other Nanocarbons... 

As a powerful methodology to assemble various components into soft supramolecular organizations, the LbL assembly method shows continuous progresses in the fields of drug delivery under the supramolecular concept (Fig. 2.2.5). The LbL method has excellent versatility for the assembly of various kinds of substances [13]. This method covers a wide range of available materials including proteins, nucleic acids, saccharides, virus particles micelles, vesicles, LB films, and other lipid membranes as well as conventional polyelectrolytes, conductive polymers, inorganic nanomaterials, nanocarbons, and dye... 

Pd [25] Microwave-assisted polyol Graphene -0.58 V (vs. Hg/HgO) Same E for all supports, but graphene support gave better current dtmsity than MWCNT and other nanocarbon supports... 

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