Taking A Plunge Into The World Of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes | Image Resource : nanotechlabs.com
The inception of nanotubes definitely led to the advancement of different sorts of advanced electronic devices and better biosensors. As more studies were put into this field, different sorts of nanotubes came into existence. In the initial stages, there was no control over the process of nanotubes production.
However, now it is possible to create nanotubes of desirable sizes. The sheets of nanotubes produced these days are not uneven like they used to be before. Through the process called as functionalization, now it is possible to get our hands on vertically aligned nanotubes of carbon.
The growth rate of the nanotubes is controlled by bombarding the tubes of carbon with guest particles. These particles control the shape of the nanotubes, and hence the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes turned out to be a reality. With the same process called functionalization, the properties of the nanotubes can also be modified according to the requirements of the clients. However, there are two methods to make it happen. They have been discussed below.
Customized production of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes
Among the two methods of functionalization, Endohedral functioning is the first one. It involves bombarding the tube’s inner surface with guest particles in a careful way. It is essential to be careful because if the base of the nanotubes are disturbed in anyway then it would not be possible to obtain highly quality vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The next method is called Exohedral functioning, and it involves bombarding the outer surface. So, they are almost similar.
The diameter of these nanotubes remains between 1.5 and 15 nano meters. Talking about the length, it usually remains more than 100 nano meter. For those who do not know, one nano meter is equivalent to one billionth of a meter.
Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes applications
There are plenty of reasons that make the vertically aligned nanotubes of carbon so popular in the family of carbon nanotubes. Since these nano tubes are quite a good conductor of heat as well as electricity, therefore they can be utilized as fillers. When it comes to making strong and durable fabric then these nanotubes can be quite promising. In addition, the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can also be used for separating the electrostatic charges from matter.
Offering strength to the materials is the main reason why these nano tubes are gaining so much attention. In the near future, the demand for the vertically aligned nano tubes of carbon is going to shoot up for sure. They are proving to be useful in the case of fuel lines as well. In addition, they can also be an eco friendly alternative for halogenated fire retardants.
The springs made from these nano tubes can be much more efficient and stronger than the ones made from steel. Without any doubt, there are numbers of applications associated with the vertically aligned form of carbon nano tubes. Even though a lot of applications are on the theoretical level, but very soon they will turn into a reality.
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