Carbon nanotubes (CNT)

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a relatively new and exciting material with extraordinary mechanical and unique electrical properties. The structure of a single wall carbon nanotube can be described as a graphene layer rolled into a seamless tube. Multiwall nanotubes consist of concentric graphene layers. Diameters are typically 2-100 nm with lengths up to several microns.

SINTEF has developed competence in CNT production in a strategic institute project, financed by The Research Council of Norway.  The strength of a carbon nanotube is about 10 times the strength of steel, and in addition they are flexible. The high strength can be achieved only for straight tubes without defects. Carbon nanotubes can be either metallic conducting or semiconducting depending on the rolling direction of the graphene layers. Carbon nanotubes are also good electron emitters. A great number of applications have been suggested for carbon nanotubes. However, most of them are still on the stage of development. Examples of possible applications are; composite materials, field emission devices, nanoelectronics, sensors, drug delivers in medicine, etc.

CNT production in plasma reactor at SINTEF

Research examples for this material:

• A plasma process for CNT production from methane has been developed. The CNT produced are straight with few structural defects due to the high production temperature. The method is patented.
• Development of a high temperature plasma reactor, located at SINTEF. The reactor is patented.
• Reactor temperature and gas flow simulation, electric arc and particle path modelling.
• Characterization of CNT by electron microscopy (FEG-SEM/FEG-TEM).

FEG-TEM images of CNT produced at SINTEF (Calin Marioara, SINTEF)