Technology Commercialization and Partnerships | BSA 07-30: Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

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Categories: advanced materials, nanotechnology

BSA 07-30: Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

BNL Reference Number: BSA 07-30

Patent Status: Application Number 20090308753 was published on December 17, 2009

Summary

High-resolution transmission electron micrographs of (a) purified tubes; (b) Si−SWNT-1 electrodeposited at −600 mV; and (c) Si−SWNT-2 electrodeposited at −700 mV. Scale bars for panels a−c are 5, 10, and 10 nm respectively.

Oxide coatings on carbon nanotubes can help avoid tube-tube contact and bundle formation, in addition to providing a surface dielectric material. Control over the thickness of these oxides is important. The inventors have devised a method of controlling the deposition of silica, hafnia, and other oxides on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes that allow controlling the thickness deposited several different ways. These coated nanotubes are of use in optics and biomedicine applications.

Description

The rate of deposition of silica and other oxides is controlled by controlling the negative voltage applied in an electrochemical cell. Other parameters that may be varied to tune the deposition rate include the concentration of the oxide precursor in solution and the duration of the applied voltage. The oxides so deposited are non-covalently bonded to the nanotubes, thus the inherent properties of the nanotubes are unchanged.

Benefits

The three independent methods of controlling the deposition of the dielectric allow precise control over the thickness of the dielectric. Furthermore, this method of coating SWNTs does not alter their chemical, electronic, or mechanical properties.