Single-walled CNTs characteristics

More recent results on CNTs were much more promising [227,228]. Two types of CNT thin films were tested functionalized P3-single walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and raw (non-functionalized) SWNTs. Both films provided excellent actuation characteristics (on par with carbon grease), had a negligible influence on mechanical properties of the film, and remained stable over longer periods of time. In addition, the carbon nanotube films could be made thin enough to remain optically transparent for use as transparent compliant electrodes [229]. 

Fiber type carbon nano materials, which are suitable as catalyst support can be classified into three types, namely, CNFs, CNTs, and single walled nanotubes (SWNTs). CNFs have a number of special characteristics that make them materials of promise as catalyst supports [11]. 

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are formed by a hollow cylinder formed by a unique carbon sheet forming a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) or concentric carbon sheets with different diameters forming multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with carbon-carbon with sp bonding [75]. The particular cylindrical form of CNT is the principal aspect that provides the quantum confinement effect in the oriented ID nanostructured materials [80]. These characteristics provide the possibUity to increase chemical reactivity and electronic properties of this particular carbon material, which becomes a crucial point for biosensing devices [75]. 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remarkable modulus, tensile strength, electrical and thermal conductivities. However, the promising characteristics of CNTs have not easily found their way into applications, partly because of the difficulty in dispersing tubes into individual units. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are especially difficult to disperse they tend to be synthesized in the form of bundles that are difficult to separate into individual tubes due to high van der Waals interactions. 

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