Hierarchical Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes-Liquid Crystal Nanocomposite

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1735-1740
Author(s):  
Sudarshan Kundu ◽  
Sudip K. Batabyal ◽  
Prasenjit Nayek ◽  
Subir K. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Nanocomposite Materials ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Hierarchical Assembly ◽  
Ac Electrical Properties

Fabrication of liquid crystalline (LC) nanomaterials in an aligned pattern along the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) has been reported here. The nanocomposite was prepared by sonicating esterified CNTs and the ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) in chloroform. The nanohybrid shish kebab (NHSK) like pattern was observed in SEM analysis. The nanocomposite materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarizing optical microscopy and electron microscopy. The DC and AC electrical properties of the composite materials were investigated. The DC conductivity of the nanocomposite increased by 2 order from the FLC materials and AC relaxation has been observed, in the nanocomposite, which was totally absent in the FLC materials.

SILK FIBROIN FILMS CRYSTALLIZED BY MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (09n11) ◽  
pp. 1807-1812 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-S. KIM ◽  
W.-I. PARK ◽  
Y. KIM ◽  
H.-J. JIN
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Silk Fibroin ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Tensile Modulus ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Regenerated Silk Fibroin ◽  
Silk Films ◽  
Β Sheet

Silk films prepared from regenerated silk fibroin are normally stabilized by β-sheet formation through the use of solvents (methanol, water etc.). Herein, we report a new method of preparing water-stable films without a β-sheet conformation from regenerated silk fibroin solutions by incorporating a small amount (0.2 wt%) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). To extend the biomaterial utility of silk proteins, forming water-stable silk-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties is essential. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the MWCNT-incorporated silk films. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction provided clear evidence of the crystallization of the silk fibroin induced by MWCNT in the composite films without any additional annealing processing. The tensile modulus and strength of the composite films were improved by 108% and 51%, respectively, by the incorporation of 0.2 wt% of MWCNTs, as compared with those of the pure silk films. The method described in this study will provide an alternative means of crystallizing silk fibroin films without using an organic solvent or blending with any other polymers, which may be important in biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Multiwalled carbon nanotubes in alfalfa and wheat: toxicology and uptake

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (77) ◽  
pp. 3514-3527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pola Miralles ◽  
Errin Johnson ◽  
Tamara L. Church ◽  
Andrew T. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Root Elongation ◽  
Wheat Root ◽  
Root Tip ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Wheat Seedlings ◽  
Industrial Grade ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Multiwalled Cnts

Data on the bioavailability and toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the environment, and, in particular, on their interactions with vascular plants, are limited. We investigated the effects of industrial-grade multiwalled CNTs (75 wt% CNTs) and their impurities on alfalfa and wheat. Phytotoxicity assays were performed during both seed germination and seedling growth. The germinations of both species were tolerant of up to 2560 mg l −1 CNTs, and root elongation was enhanced in alfalfa and wheat seedlings exposed to CNTs. Remarkably, catalyst impurities also enhanced root elongation in alfalfa seedlings as well as wheat germination. Thus the impurities, not solely the CNTs, impacted the plants. CNT internalization by plants was investigated using electron microscopy and two-dimensional Raman mapping. The latter showed that CNTs were adsorbed onto the root surfaces of alfalfa and wheat without significant uptake or translocation. Electron microscopy investigations of internalization were inconclusive owing to poor contrast, so Fe 3 O 4 -functionalized CNTs were prepared and studied using energy-filter mapping of Fe 3 O 4 . CNTs bearing Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were detected in the epidermis of one wheat root tip only, suggesting that internalization was possible but unusual. Thus, alfalfa and wheat tolerated high concentrations of industrial-grade multiwalled CNTs, which adsorbed onto their roots but were rarely taken up.

scholarly journals Surface Properties of Silica–MWCNTs/PDMS Composite Coatings Deposited on Plasma Activated Glass Supports

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9256
Author(s):  
Michał Chodkowski ◽  
Iryna Ya. Sulym ◽  
Konrad Terpiłowski ◽  
Dariusz Sternik
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Composite Coatings ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Visible Range ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Scanning Electron

In this paper, we focus on fabrication and physicochemical properties investigations of silica–multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite coatings deposited on the glass supports activated by cold plasma. Air or argon was used as the carrier gas in the plasma process. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were modified with poly(dimethylsiloxane) in order to impart their hydrophobicity. The silica–multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) nanocomposite was synthesized using the sol–gel technique with acid-assisted tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis. The stability and the zeta potential of the obtained suspension were evaluated. Then, the product was dried and used as a filler in another sol–gel process, which led to the coating application via the dip-coating method. The substrates were exposed to the hexamethyldisilazane vapors in order to improve their hydrophobicity. The obtained surfaces were characterized by the wettability measurements and surface free energy determination as well as optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmittance measurements. In addition, the thermal analyses of the carbon nanotubes as well as coatings were made. It was found that rough and hydrophobic coatings were obtained with a high transmittance in the visible range. They are characterized by the water contact angle larger than 90 degrees and the transmission at the level of 95%. The X-ray diffraction studies as well as scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the chemical and structural compositions of the coatings. They are thermally stable at the temperature up to 250 °C. Moreover, the thermal analysis showed that the obtained composite material has greater thermal resistance than the pure nanotubes.

Covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with super-hydrophobic property

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 537-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minghua Li ◽  
Zhiyuan Xu ◽  
Jinyang Chen ◽  
San-E Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Chemical Interaction ◽  
Hydrophobic Property ◽  
Covalent Functionalization ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Surface Contact Angle ◽  
Loading Ratio ◽  
Functionalized Mwcnts

AbstractSurface covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is carried out by coupling of isocyanate-decorated MWCNTs with hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPS), resulting in the formation of functionalized MWCNTs. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) of functionalized MWCNTs-1,2,3 exhibits the similar peaks in the temperature range of 200–500°C, which all correspond to the degradation of chemically grafted polyurethane on the nanotube surface. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals that as the polyurethane grafted onto the surface of MWCNTs loading ratio increased, the surface roughness of the MWCNTs is reduced. The chemical interaction of HTPS with isocyanate-decorated nanotube surface using the grafting-to strategy in a one-step process is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The surface contact angle of MWCNTs-3 with the largest content of polyurethane reached 171°, indicating that the surface covered with low surface energy polyurethane shows a super-hydrophobic property. The good dispersion of polyurethane-functionalized MWCNT-3, particularly at high content in the NR nanocomposites, is evidenced from transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

scholarly journals Novel Nanohybrids Based on Supramolecular Assemblies of Meso-tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl) Porphyrin J-aggregates and Amine-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariachiara Trapani ◽  
Antonino Mazzaglia ◽  
Anna Piperno ◽  
Annalaura Cordaro ◽  
Roberto Zagami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Resonance Light Scattering ◽  
Therapeutic Window ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
J Aggregates

The ability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) covalently functionalized with polyamine chains of different length (ethylenediamine, EDA and tetraethylenepentamine, EPA) to induce the J-aggregation of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) was investigated in different experimental conditions. Under mild acidic conditions, protonated amino groups allow for the assembly by electrostatic interaction with the diacid form of TPPS, leading to hybrid nanomaterials. The presence of only one pendant amino group for a chain in EDA does not lead to any aggregation, whereas EPA (with four amine groups for chain) is effective in inducing J-aggregation using different mixing protocols. These nanohybrids have been characterized through UV/Vis extinction, fluorescence emission, resonance light scattering and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Their morphology and chemical composition have been elucidated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). TEM and STEM analysis evidence single or bundles of MWCNTs in contact with TPPS J-aggregates nanotubes. The nanohybrids are quite stable for days, even in aqueous solutions mimicking physiological medium (NaCl 0.15 M). This property, together with their peculiar optical features in the therapeutic window of visible spectrum, make them potentially useful for biomedical applications.

Liquid Crystalline Behaviors of Conducting Polyacetylene Derivative with Mesogenic Substituent and Its Mixture with Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

1996 ◽  
Vol 35 (Part 1, No. 7) ◽  
pp. 3964-3970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsumi Yoshino ◽  
Kentaro Kobayashi ◽  
Katsunori Myojin ◽  
Masanori Ozaki ◽  
Kazuo Akagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

Rheology and Electrorheology of Nanorod-Loaded Liquid Crystalline Polymers

2008 ◽  
Vol 1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Raquel Cameron-Soto ◽  
Sonia Lizmar Aviles-Barreto ◽  
Aldo Acevedo-Rullan
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Loss Modulus ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Electric Field Effect ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Crystalline Polymers ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Er Fluids

AbstractThe effect of carbon nanotube concentration and dispersion on the rheology of liquid crystalline solutions of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) has been experimentally studied. The rheology of nanocomposites of HPC and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in m-cresol was characterized in steady-state and transient dynamic tests. The rheology as particle loading increases shows a very distinct response in the magnitude and scaling of the steady-state viscosity, and the storage and loss modulus. The liquid crystalline phase was characterized by direct observations by reflected polarized light microscopy. Additionally, an electric-field effect was observed on the rheology of the HPC/MWCNT in m-cresol soft composites. The HPC in m-cresol matrix is non-responsive, thus the electrorheological effect is due to the presence of the carbon nanotubes. The mechanism for this effect is still uncertain, since it does not follow the scaling predicted by simple models for heterogeneous or homogeneous ER fluids.

Tribological Properties of Stearic Acid Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Water

2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yitian Peng ◽  
Zhonghua Ni
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Stearic Acid ◽  
Tribological Properties ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Lubricant Application ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified with stearic acid (SA) molecules. The SA-modified MWCNTs were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The tribological properties of the oxidized and SA-modified MWCNTs as additives in water were comparatively investigated with a four-ball tester. The results showed the SA-modified MWCNTs in water have better tribological properties including friction reduction and antiwear than oxidized MWCNTs. The possible mechanism of SA-modified MWCNT as an additive in water was discussed. This research provides the opportunity for the lubricant application of MWCNTs.

Morphology and thermal properties of nanocomposites based on chiral poly(ester-imide) matrix reinforced by vitamin B1 functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (16) ◽  
pp. 2291-2300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadpour Mallakpour ◽  
Samaneh Soltanian
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Vitamin B1 ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Chemical functionalization of carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes with vitamin B1 was carried out under ultrasonic irradiation. The functionalized nanotubes were embedded in a chiral and biodegradable poly(ester-imide) to prepare multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Optically active poly(ester-imide) was synthesized by step-growth polymerization of aromatic diol and amino acid based diacid. The vitamin B1 functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and the resulting nanocomposites were examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that temperature at 10% weight loss was increased from 409℃ for pure PEI to 419℃, 427℃, and 430℃ for nanocomposites containing 5%, 10%, and 15% functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, respectively. The Fourier-transform scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images exhibited that the functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were separated individually and enwrapped by polymer chains.

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