[All_jlab_accounts] Today, 3p.m. JLab Colloquium: Assembling Carbon Nanotubes for Advanced Applications

[deborah magaldi]

Jefferson Lab Colloquium

Assembling Carbon Nanotubes for Advanced Applications

Vesselin Shanov
Professor, Dept. of Biomedical, Chemical & Environmental Engineering
And co-director of Nanoworld Lab, University of Cincinnati

ABSTRACT

Individual Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have exceptional mechanical, thermal 
and electrical properties. However, transferring these extraordinary 
qualities into CNT assemblages, without degrading performance, remains a 
challenge. At the UC Nanoworld Laboratories, we are successfully working 
to complete the cycle of synthesis, processing and application of carbon 
nanostructured materials. This approach allows for tuning of the CNT 
materials at different processing stages in order to meet specific 
application objectives. The research focus is on synthesis of carbon 
nanotube forest, yarn, and sheet materials and linking these materials 
to applications. Materials synthesis will be discussed, followed by 
post-processing such as plasma functionalization and thermal annealing. 
Results in catalytic synthesis of 2 centimeter long CNT arrays by CVD 
and related kinetics data will be presented, along with their 
characterization. CNT thread with strength of 1 GPa and electrical 
conductivity of 104 (ohm. cm)-1 have been produced. In addition, 
mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties of CNT sheets 
will be reported. Efforts for post-processing the CNT arrays, threads 
and sheets in order to improve their strength and conductivity will be 
also presented. These CNT materials have been fully characterized by 
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy 
(TEM), which revealed the outstanding alignment of the nanotubes. Raman 
Spectroscopy and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) confirmed the high 
purity of the CNT threads and sheets. The reported properties open 
opportunities for novel applications of the CNT assemblages such as 
power distribution, sensors, transparent conductive electrodes, 
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding, nano-composites, de-icing, 
biomedical devices, etc. Current scale up efforts to develop methods 
that industry needs to 
mass produce aligned CNTs and to process them 
into fibrous products will be reported.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 at 3 p.m.
CEBAF Center auditorium
Cookies & coffee in the CEBAF Center lobby, 2:30 p.m.

On the Jefferson Lab At A Glance calendar at:
https://misportal.jlab.org/ul/calendar/calendar_date.cfm?date=17&month=12&year=2014