Structure and Synthesis Methods for Carbon Nanotubes

As emphasized in Nature news Nature 432, 2004, 791), CNT quality presents a serious problem for the use of nanotubes. The quality of the CNTs obtained from various suppliers, and even from the same supplier at different times, is highly unreliable. These CNTs can be significantly different in shape and stracture, which limits the potential applied development of this new class of nanomaterials. Therefore, the prominent current challenges include two aspects relevant to CNTs (i) the synthesis and control of their structure, alignment, and pattern and (ii) the development of a fliorough understanding of their growth mechanisms. 

Generally, the synthesis methods of CNTs are arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). While first two methods use high-energy input to release the carbon atoms from carbon-containing precursor molecules, CVD relies on caibon atomization via catalytic decomposition of carbon precursors on 

The unique properties of earbon nanofibers (CNFs), sometimes called carbon filaments or filamentous carbon, have generated intense interest in the application of these new carbon materials toward a number of applications including selective absorption, energy storage, polymer reinforcement, and catalyst supports [37]. 

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