In order to clearly understand the intrinsic microwave absorption properties of carbon nanomaterials, we proposed an efficient strategy to synthesize high purity metal-free carbon nanotubes (CNTs) over water-soluble K2CO3 particles through chemical vapor decomposition and water-washing process. The comparison results indicated the leftover catalyst caused negative effects in intrinsic microwave...

We have developed a novel method of manufacturing and assembling process termed nano-pelleting [1-2], which refers to large-scale handling and long-range order assembly of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The nano-pelleting concept overcomes the limitation of very small-scale order by embedding carbon nanotubes into micro-scale pellets. This technique includes vertically growing single stran...

In films, mats, buckypaper, and other materials composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), individual CNTs are bound together by van der Waals forces and form entangled networks of bundles. Mesoscopic dynamic simulations reproduce the spontaneous self-assembly of CNTs into continuous networks of bundles and reveal that the bending buckling and the length of CNTs are the two main factors responsible f...

We introduce coplanar stripline circuits to resolve the ultrafast photocurrent dynamics of freely suspended carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the time domain. By applying an on-chip pump-probe laser spectroscopy, we demonstrate that CNTs, contacted by metal electrodes, exhibit a picosecond photocurrent response. We find a combination of an optically induced ultrafast displacement current, transport of...

The functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) was obtained by generating reactive perfluoropolyether (PFPE) radicals that can covalently bond to MW-CNTs' surface. Branched and linear PFPE peroxides with equivalent molecular weights of 1275 and 1200 amu, respectively, have been thermally decomposed for the production of PFPE radicals. The functionalization with PFPE chains has...

Metal-free (i.e., residual metallic impurities-blocked) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) do show electrocatalytic activity for H2 evolution, O2 evolution and O2 reduction reactions (HER, OER & ORR) in alkaline solutions, but their activities strongly depend on the number of walls or inner tubes with a maximum for CNTs with 2-3 walls.

Creating superior electrical properties from macroscopic assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to replace metal is still an unaccomplished goal. Here we report a noncovalent functionalization method to connect individual CNTs with an electrical conductivity reaching 9150 S cm(-1) and the mechanical properties can be increased by an order of 1-2.

An efficient and easy method is described which allows modification of supported nanocarbon films with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from an aqueous colloidal suspension. Subsequently CNTs can be decorated with Pt-nanoparticles directly from an aqueous solution of Pt ions without the need for reducing agents. High performance supercapacitors and electrocatalysts are obtained.

We report herein a unique means to periodically pattern polymeric materials on individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a controlled polymer crystallization method. One-dimensional (1D) CNTs were periodically decorated with polymer lamellar crystals, resulting in nano-hybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) structures. The periodicity of the polymer lamellae varies from 20 to 150 nm. The kebabs are approxima...

Bunched and multi-circularly wrapped carbon nanotubes (CNT) are observed to grow on alloy substrates based on iron group metals and copper by a microwave enhanced hot-filament method with a dilute gas of ammonia at a proper RF self-bias. The grown size of CNTs embodied in the grain sizes of conducting bulk alloy catalysts such as Cu-Ni, Cu-Fe, Cu-Co, and Cu-Ni-Fe-Co are controlled by a precurso...