What is the structure of a nanotube?
What is the structure of a nanotube?
The structure of a carbon nanotube is formed by a layer of carbon atoms that are bonded together in a hexagonal (honeycomb) mesh. This one-atom thick layer of carbon is called graphene, and it is wrapped in the shape of a cylinder and bonded together to form a carbon nanotube.
What is the structure and properties of nanotubes?
It is well known that CNTs are intrinsically composed of pure carbon atoms that arrange and interact with each other by the strong sp2 carbon–carbon chemical bonds and form the unique geometric structure of a carbon network; this gives CNTs fascinating and attractive properties, such as electronic, mechanical, and …
Why are nanotubes used in electronics?
CNTs are considered a viable replacement for ITO transparent conductors in some applications. Fabricated as transparent conductive films (TCF), carbon nanotubes can potentially be used as a highly conductive, transparent and cost efficient alternative in flexible displays and touch screens, for instance.
How do carbon nanotubes conduct electricity?
Carbon nanotubes have a very high melting point, as each carbon atom is joined to three other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds. This also leaves each carbon atom with a spare electron, which forms a sea of delocalised electrons within the tube, meaning nanotubes can conduct electricity.
What is one characteristic of a nanotube?
The structure of the nanotube influences its properties – including electrical and thermal conductivity, density, and lattice structure. Both type and diameter are important. The wider the diameter of the nanotube, the more it behaves like graphite.
Is carbon nanotube a simple molecular structure?
Like graphene, nanotubes are strong, and they conduct electricity because they have delocalised electrons. Buckyballs are spheres or squashed spheres of carbon atoms. They are made up of large molecules but do not have a giant covalent structure.
What can nanotubes be used for?
As of 2013, carbon nanotube production exceeded several thousand tons per year, used for applications in energy storage, device modelling, automotive parts, boat hulls, sporting goods, water filters, thin-film electronics, coatings, actuators and electromagnetic shields.
How might nanotubes be someday be used in computers?
These semiconducting nanomaterials can replace silicon in transistors and other circuit elements. And because nanotubes can be formulated into inks, researchers can layer them in multilevel circuits—something that’s impractical with silicon.
Is carbon nanotubes conduct electricity?
“Even though carbon nanotubes are conductive, they do not have metallic bonds,” he said. “As a result, they do not conduct electricity the way that traditional metals do.”
Are carbon nanotubes electrically conductive?
About Carbon Nanotubes CNTs have high conductivity and high aspect ratio which help them to form a network of conductive tubes.
What are the nanotubes used for?
Additionally, nanotubes are a fantastic electricity conductor, outperforming copper and silicone. When nanotubes are used as semiconductor chips their potential is actually limitless. Their strength and their ability to conduct electricity make them prime options for medical advancement, space exploration,…
Are carbon nanotubes stronger than steel?
The length of carbon nanotube may be between 100 nm to 1000s of nanometers even. Due to their unique interconnection, the immensely stable molecular bond makes carbon nanotube around 100x stronger than conventional industrial-grade steel . In comparison, the weight of the material would only be 1/6th of steel used in the same application.
What does nanotubes mean?
Definition of nanotube. : a microscopic tube whose diameter is measured in nanometers especially : one of pure carbon : buckytube.
How are nanotubes made?
The ordered nanotubes are created through a process of laser vaporization. The laser vaporizing process targets the carbon particles and is confined to a 1200 degree Celsius furnace that in effect “grows” the nanotubes. There is a specific catalyst of cobalt nickel is part of the growth process.