Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Nanoribbon

Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Nanoribbon 

A Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Nanoribbon is a specific form of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) where the CNTs are flattened into narrow, ribbon-like structures. These nanoribbons are essentially a “cut” version of a carbon nanotube that has been unrolled or modified, creating a flat sheet of carbon atoms that retains the characteristic hexagonal lattice of the CNT.

Structure of CNT Nanoribbons:

• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical structures made up of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, similar to a rolled-up graphene sheet. A nanoribbon is obtained by cutting a carbon nanotube along its length, which unrolls the cylinder into a flat, narrow strip.
• Width and Length: The width of the nanoribbon depends on how the CNT is unrolled or cut, and its length is typically very long relative to its width, making it a highly elongated structure.
• Edge Structure: The edges of the CNT nanoribbons can vary depending on how the nanotube is cut. They can have zigzag or armchair edge configurations, which significantly influence their electronic and mechanical properties.

Properties of CNT Nanoribbons:

1. Electrical Properties:
   • CNT nanoribbons can exhibit semiconducting or metallic behavior, depending on their edge structure (zigzag or armchair) and width.
   • Armchair nanoribbons often behave like metals, while zigzag nanoribbons can exhibit semiconducting properties, which makes them useful in electronic and optoelectronic devices.
2. Mechanical Properties:
   • CNT nanoribbons retain the high tensile strength and flexibility of CNTs, but their properties can be altered depending on the size, edge configuration, and chemical modifications.
   • They are extremely strong and lightweight, making them ideal candidates for advanced materials and structural applications.
3. Thermal Properties:
   • Like CNTs, nanoribbons are excellent thermal conductors, enabling efficient heat dissipation. This makes them suitable for applications in electronics and materials where thermal management is crucial.
4. Chemical Reactivity:
   • The edges of CNT nanoribbons are often more chemically reactive than the cylindrical surfaces, which makes them useful for applications such as catalysis, sensing, or chemical functionalization.
5. Quantum and Optical Properties:
   • Due to their unique geometry, CNT nanoribbons can exhibit quantum effects and unusual optical properties, making them interesting for applications in quantum computing and photonics.

Applications of CNT Nanoribbons:

1. Electronics:
   • CNT nanoribbons, especially those with semiconducting properties, have potential for use in nanoelectronics such as field-effect transistors (FETs), diodes, and logic circuits, as they can outperform conventional silicon in many ways.
2. Sensors:
   • The chemical reactivity of CNT nanoribbons makes them ideal for use in gas sensors, biosensors, or chemical sensors. The edges of the nanoribbons can be functionalized to selectively detect certain molecules.
3. Energy Storage and Conversion:
   • CNT nanoribbons can be used in supercapacitors and batteries due to their excellent electrical conductivity and large surface area, which facilitates better charge storage and faster charge/discharge cycles.
4. Nanocomposites:
   • When incorporated into composite materials, CNT nanoribbons can enhance the mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties of the material, making them useful in fields like aerospace, automotive, and construction.
5. Photonic Devices:
   • Their unique optical and electrical properties make CNT nanoribbons potential candidates for use in photodetectors, solar cells, and other optoelectronic applications, where they can help in the manipulation of light at the nanoscale.

Summary:

A Carbon Nanotube Nanoribbon is a flat, ribbon-like structure derived from unrolling a carbon nanotube. These nanoribbons retain many of the remarkable properties of CNTs, such as high strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties, but with additional features influenced by their flat, one-dimensional geometry. Due to these properties, CNT nanoribbons have a wide range of potential applications, particularly in nanoelectronics, energy storage, sensors, and advanced materials.

Technical Properties:

Purity:   > 95 wt% (carbon nanotubes)
Outside diameter: 20-30 nm
Inside diameter: 5-10 nm
Length: 10-30 um
SSA: > 110 m²/g
Color: Black

Ash: <1.5 wt%
Electrical conductivity: >100 s/cm
Tap density: 0.28 g/cm³
True density: ~2.1 g/cm³

Manufacturing Method:Ribbon is produced by chemical oxidation and longitudinal opening using strong oxidizing agents.

FTIR spectrum of Carbon Nanotube Nanoribbon

XRD of Carbon Nanotube Nanoribbon

Sem image of Ribbon