Ilya Mazov

Direct Vapor-Phase Bromination of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

We present the simple procedure of the vapor-phase bromination of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at moderate temperatures. MWNTs with average diameter 9±3 nm were treated with Br2 vapors at 250°C to produce Br-functionalized product. Transmission electron microscopy analysis was used to prove low damage of MWNT walls during bromination. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to investigate chemical composition of the surface of initial and brominated nanotubes. The experimental results show that the structure of MWNTs is not affected by the bromination process and the total amount of Br-containing surface functions reaches 2.5 wt. %. Electrophysical properties of initial and brominated MWNTs were investigated showing decrease of conductivity for functionalized sample. Possible mechanism of the vapor-phase bromination via surface defects and oxygen-containing functional groups was proposed according to data obtained. Additional experiments with bromination of annealed low-defected MWNTs were performed giving Br content a low as 0.75 wt. % proving this hypothesis.

Structure and Properties of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Polystyrene Composites Prepared via Coagulation Precipitation Technique

Coagulation technique was applied for preparation of multiwall carbon nanotube- (MWNT-)containing polystyrene (PSt) composite materials with different MWNT loading (0.5–10 wt.%). Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were used for investigation of the morphology and structure of produced composites. It was shown that synthesis of MWNT/PSt composites using coagulation technique allows one to obtain high dispersion degree of MWNT in the polymer matrix. According to microscopy data, composite powder consists of the polystyrene matrix forming spherical particles with diameter ca. 100–200 nm, and the surface of MWNT is strongly wetted by the polymer forming thin layer with 5–10 nm thickness. Electrical conductivity of MWNT/PSt composites was investigated using a four-probe technique. Observed electrical percolation threshold of composite materials is near to 10 wt.%, mainly due to the insulating polymer layer deposited on the surface of nanotubes. Electromagnetic response of prepared materials was investigated in broadband region (0.01–4 and 26–36 GHz). It was found that MWNT/PSt composites are almost radiotransparent for low frequency region and possess high absorbance of EM radiation at higher frequencies.

Properties of MWNT-Containing Polymer Composite Materials Depending on Their Structure

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are tubular structures composed of curved graphene sheets with diameter up to several tens of nanometers with typical length up to several micrometers. Singleand doublewall CNTs have diameters from 1.2 to ca. 3 nm and are usually packed in relatively dense structures (“ropes”). Multiwall carbon nanotubes can contain up to tens of concentrically aligned tubules and have diameter from 3-4 to tens of nanometers. Carbon nanotubes, both singleand multiwall, show outstanding mechanical and electrical properties [1, 2]. Nowadays CNTs are regarded as one of the key materials for development of various nanotechnology applications – new materials, sensors, actuators, field emitters etc. [3, 4, 5, 6]. In the last decade great effort was done in this field by many research groups, investigating structural, physical, mechanical, and electrical properties of CNTs.

Carbon Nanotubes' and Silicon Carbide Whiskers' Growth on Metal Catalysts: Common Features of Formation Mechanisms

The formation mechanisms of carbon deposits and silicon carbide whiskers on metal surface catalysts have some common steps. The most important are: (1) the formation of metal particle alloys oversaturated with carbon or silicon and carbon atoms and (2) the nucleation of corresponding deposits on the metal catalyst surface. A thermodynamic analysis of the carbon and/or silicon carbide nucleation on the metal surface was performed. The master equations for the dependence of critical radius of carbon or SiC nucleus on reaction parameters, such as reaction temperature, supersaturation degree of catalyst particles with C (or Si and C), work of adhesion of metal to carbon (or metal to SiC), were obtained. These equations combined with the phase diagram approach can be used for the description of different scenarios of carbon and/or SiC deposits formation and for the development of the main principles of catalyst and promoters design.