Separation and high-resolution spectroscopic characterisation of carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites.

In order to fully exploit the exciting fundamental research opportunities created by the solubilisation/preparation techniques developed in the group, and making use of the available expertise in advanced spectroscopic research we aim at(1) Optimising the density gradient ultracentrifugation separation of different types of SWNTs by using pristine, full-length and empty SWNTs. This will involve the study of the subtle interactions of water and various surfactant molecules with the different types of SWNTs by high resolution Raman spectroscopy, in order to understand the separation mechanism and find the optimal conditions. It will of course also involve the spectroscopic characterization of the composition of the separated fractions.(2) Studying the obtained purified SWNTs using advanced optical techniques, which are not possible, or at least far less informative, for samples containing a mixture of SWNT types. This includes, for instance, ultrafast laser spectroscopy where individual types of SWNTs cannot be selectively excited in mixed samples.(3) Studying the interaction of SWNTs with other molecules in composites prepared from these separated SWNT types, which will again yield far more detailed information than current work involving mixtures of dozens of different SWNT types.

Keywords:CARBON NANOTUBES, OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY

Disciplines:Astronomy and space sciences, Condensed matter physics and nanophysics, Physical chemistry, Ceramic and glass materials, Materials science and engineering, Semiconductor materials, Other materials engineering