Use of Aligned CNTs

The use of aligned CNTs seems to be quite advantageous since the more electro-active ends of the nanotubes are readily accessible to species in solution. Moreover,... 

Besides these very fundamental studies on the structuring of electrodes, also first publications on the use of aligned CNTs in membrane-electrode-assemblies and even fud cells appeared in the very recent past [116,117]. 

An interesting point concerns polarisation effects in the Raman spectra, which are commonly observed in low-dimensional materials. Since CNTs are onedimensional (ID) materials, the use of light polarised parallel or perpendicular to the tube axis will give information about the low dimensionality of the CNTs. The availability of purified samples of aligned CNTs would allow us to obtain the symmetry of a mode directly from the measured Raman intensity by changing the experimental geometry, such as the polarisation of the light and the sample orientation, as discussed in this chapter. 

Preparation methods for PCNTs have been reviewed in the context of parameters which may lead to large-scale MWCNT synthesis free of by-products. It is noteworthy that the formation of aligned CNTs is currently an active area of research in conjunction with PCNT preparation. The use of SWCNTs and/or MWCNTs in electronic devices are being developed. As yet it has not proved possible to produce CNTs with diameters and helicities to order. The formation of SWCNTs by the PCNT process has not yet been reported and it is of interest to examine whether this process can be used to prepare them. 

Figure 1. Left - SEM image of aligned CNTs vertically grown on the silicon support using fullerene C6o- Right - diameter distribution of nanotubes in the samples synthesized using fullerene C6o (1), o-xylene (2), diphenylanthracene (3), and acetonitrile (4).

Other applications in micro and nanoelectronics are been developed with the help of CNTs. One example is the development of sensors that are placed in situ in concrete for the evaluation of internal porosity [13], through the use of oriented nanotube membranes that vibrate when they are in the middle. For certain applications, the solution to this approach is the synthesis of films of aligned CNTs [14-17], enabling the manufacture of monitors and microwave generators. This is possible because of their ability to emit electron by field effect [18]. The applications of these films also include the development of polymeric solar cells the semiconducting properties of CNTs films with anisotropic morphology result in a route for the separation of pairs and conduction electrons/holes generated by photons [19]. 

Most researchers were not apparently aware of earlier CNT preparations in the context of ultra-thin vapour-grown carbon fibres (VGCF). This type of CNT is termed pyrolytic (PCNT) and its preparation shows promise of large-scale synthesis. Needless to say, it is of practical importance to provide sufficient CNTs at reasonable cost. This chapter highlights the preparation methods, structural characteristics and current commercial status of PCNTs and includes a description of the devices used hitherto to obtain aligned PCNTs. By way of... 

In earlier research the alignment operation was applied to CNTs in the form of a CNT-polymer resin [24] or CNT suspended in a solvent [25]. In the method developed by Ajayan et al. [24], purified MWCNTs were dispersed in an epoxy resin which was cut with a diamond knife and a microtome in order to obtain aligned CNTs. De Heer et al. [25] used a 0.2 (im pore ceramic filter in order to create an MWCNT suspension in ethanol, and to obtain a black deposit which was transferred to a plastic surface (Delrin or Teflon) by pressing the filter onto the polymer. However, only a moderate degree of orientation and uniformity in length of the CNTs was achieved by this method. 

Figure 15.14 illustrates a typical voltammetric result for the determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid with a CNT-modified electrode. The selective voltammetric detection of uric acid [82] or norepinephrine [83] in the presence of ascorbic acid has been demonstrated with a (3-cyclodextrin-modified electrodes incorporating CNTs. Ye et al. [84] have studied the electrocatalytic oxidation of uric acid and ascorbic acid at a well-aligned CNT electrode, which can be used for the selective determination of uric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid. The simultaneous determination of dopamine and serotonin on a CNT-modified GC electrode has also been described [85],... 

Vertically aligned CNT-modified electrodes are based on a more elaborated technique than other methods, and microscopic images are used to characterize the integrity of this type of electrode. The technique has been applied for the immobilization of enzymes and DNA, and the sensors based on this technique have shown a lower detection limit than those based on other methods. More research activities using this technique, particularly with low density CNT arrays, are expected in the near future because of its sensitivity and versatility. 

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