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All Carbon Nanotubes Are Not Created Equal

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Nanotechnology for Electronics, Photonics, and Renewable Energy

Part of the book series: Nanostructure Science and Technology ((NST))

Abstract

This chapter presents the various factors that enter into consideration when choosing the source of carbon nanotubes for a specific application. Carbon nanotubes are giant molecules made of pure carbon. They have captured the imagination of the scientific community by the unique structure that provides superior physical, chemical, and electrical properties. However, a surprisingly wide disparity exists between the intrinsic properties determined under ideal conditions and the properties that carbon nanotubes exhibit in real-world situations. The lack of uniformity in carbon nanotube properties is likely to be the main obstacle holding back the development of carbon nanotube applications. This tutorial addresses the nonuniformity of carbon nanotube properties from the synthesis standpoint. This synthesis-related nonuniformity is on top of the intrinsic chirality distribution that gives the ~1:2 ratio of metallic to semiconducting nanotubes. From the standpoint of carbon bonding chemistry the variation in the quality and reproducibility of carbon nanotube materials is not unexpected. It is an intrinsic feature that is related to the metastability of carbon structures. The extent to which this effect is manifested in carbon nanotube formation is governed by the type and kinetics of the carbon nanotube synthesis reaction. Addressing this variation is critical if nanotubes are to live up to the potential already demonstrated by their phenomenal physical properties.

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Acknowledgment

Research sponsored by the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    Gyula Eres

  2. Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    D.B. Geohegan, A.A. Puretzky & C.M. Rouleau

Authors
  1. Gyula Eres
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  2. D.B. Geohegan
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  3. A.A. Puretzky
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  4. C.M. Rouleau
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gyula Eres .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nano and Giga Solutions, Inc., Gilbert, 85296, Arizona, USA

    Anatoli Korkin

  2. , Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, 37831, Tennessee, USA

    Predrag S. Krstić

  3. , Center for Engineering Science Advanced, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, 37831, Tennessee, USA

    Jack C. Wells

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Eres, G., Geohegan, D., Puretzky, A., Rouleau, C. (2010). All Carbon Nanotubes Are Not Created Equal. In: Korkin, A., Krstić, P., Wells, J. (eds) Nanotechnology for Electronics, Photonics, and Renewable Energy. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7454-9_4

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