A nanotube refers to a hollow tube-like structure with a nanometer – scale. There are various kinds of nanotubes like Carbon nanotube, BCN Nanotube, Inorganic Nanotube, Gallium Nitride Nanotube, Boron Nitride Nanotube, DNA Nanotube, Silicon Nanotube, Titania Nanotubes, etc.
Recently, Skoltech researchers have found a way to increase the production of Carbon Nanotubes that is cheaper and way simpler. This development may boost the Carbon Nanotubes Market. Single-walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) refers to a tiny rolled sheet that is made of graphene. They have a thickness of just one atom and seem promising in being used for electronics and material science applications.
Producing carbon nanotubes is a complicated affair, and many pieces of research have been exclusively focused on perfecting the synthesis of SWCNT. Many physical methods have been explored, like the usage of laser beams to ablate a graphite target. Usage of the CVD approach means using metal catalyst particles to strip carbon from carbon-containing gas to grow nanotubes on the particles, etc.
Researchers in this paper opted for using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to produce carbon nanotubes. It is the most common method that is used in the procedure of catalyst delivery of carbon nanotubes. There have been quite a few researches that can enhance catalyst activation for producing a higher amount of SWCNTs with the needed properties. The research team herein focused on the injection procedure, particularly on the method that can distribute ferrocene vapor inside the reactor.
To achieve this, they grew carbon nanotubes with the help of the aerosol CVD approach. Carbon monoxide was used as a source of carbon. On the rate of catalyst injection and Co2 concentration, the synthesis productivity and SWCNT characteristics such as diameter were monitored. They concluded that if the injector flow rate was adjusted, it might mean a 9-fold increment in the synthesis's productivity while preserving most SWCNT characteristics like film conductivity, the share of defective nanotubes, diameter, etc.
Technologies are all about efficiency. In the CVD production of nanotubes, the efficiency of the catalyst is essential. This research is a step in achieving that, as it is a simple and elegant way of boosting productivity while also being cheaper and more accessible.
Recently, another method for using Carbon Nanotubes has been found. A researcher has shown their importance by making a carbon-nanotube-based field-effect transistor. This will help computing power keep growing and is an important development in the carbon nanotube market.