US materials scientists have successfully prepared with the use of carbon nanotubes
Rice University have invented a very simple way to use nanotubes graphene nanoribbons, through grinding.
Rice University materials scientist Pulickel Ajayan said: This method that is the two different types of chemical modification of carbon nanotubes mixed. During grinding, they are in contact with each other, and thereby react separated, this method is now commonly used in the chemical solution.
Ajayan said, this process will remain a molecule attached to a chemical reaction in the nanotubes, namely functional. Interestingly, this simple process is similar to the polishing can provide a solid strong chemical coupling between nanostructures and nanostructures obtained many new products with specific functions.
The solution is prone to chemical reactions, and this work is in the solid state conditions, so the question is, if we can use carbon nanotubes as a template, which is functional and react under suitable conditions, then these What a lot of nanostructures and chemical functional groups (chemical functional groups) reaction can be obtained?
Through this process, new chemical reaction can occur and get new product. Mohamad Kabbani is a graduate student at Rice University, is the first author of the article, he said: do not take advantage of the different properties of nano systems, we can contribute to the development of a revolutionary change in nanomaterials.
Highly conductive graphene nanoribbons, size thinner than the hair on thousands of times, very popular in the composite market. Nano materials with greatly improved electrical characteristics as well as strength.
A professor of the Department of Chemistry Institute of Technology in Chennai, India (Indian Institute of Technology Chennai) of Thalappil Pradeep (co-author of the research paper) says: through mechanical - chemical conversion mode control this structure will be key to the development of new applications, This soft chemistry occurs in many cases, help us to better understand the material processing.
In the experiment, two groups of researchers have prepared a multi-walled carbon nanotubes, a carboxyl-modified and the other is hydroxy modification. When placed in a mortar and pestle to use more than 20 minutes, these chemical additives react with each other, so that the carbon nanotubes into nanoribbons, this process also produced a by-product water.
Ajayan said: This accidental discovery certainly is exciting, it will lead us to further systematic study of the solid state carbon nanotubes react with each other, we will carry out ab initio theoretical calculations and modeling studies.
