Quantitative Fluorimetric Analysis of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes

在这项由分析和表面化学计划支持的研究中，将开发新的光学方法来分析单壁碳纳米管样品。这些纳米管是一种新颖的分子尺度结构，具有卓越的电学、力学和光学特性，将导致重要的未来应用。然而，纳米管以各种相似的结构形式形成，难以区分和分离。这个项目的结果将使使用相对简单的实验室测量成为可能，不仅可以快速确定纳米管样品中包含哪些结构形式，而且还可以确定每种形式存在的数量以及样品的完美程度或损坏程度。本项目开发的新分析方法将产生一系列影响。首先，它们对基础科学家来说非常有价值，因为他们需要很好的表征样品来进行纳米管研究。其次，可靠和标准化的表征将加速碳纳米管的商业生产和工业使用。最后，该项目将通过为本科生、研究生和博士后（包括女性和代表性不足的少数民族）提供对他们的科学教育和专业发展至关重要的实践研究经验，促进他们的科学培训。

In this research supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, new optical methods will be developed to analyze samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are novel molecular-scale structures with remarkable electrical, mechanical, and optical properties that will lead to important future applications. However, the nanotubes are formed in a variety of similar structural forms that are difficult to distinguish and separate. The results from this project will make it possible to use relatively simple laboratory measurements to quickly determine not only which structural forms are contained in a nanotube sample, but also how much of each form is present and how perfect or damaged the sample is. The new analysis methods developed in this project will have a range of impacts. First, they will be very valuable to basic scientists who need well-characterized samples to perform their nanotube research. Second, reliable and standardized characterization will speed the commercial production and industrial use of carbon nanotubes. Finally, the project will advance the scientific training of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students (including women and underrepresented minorities) by giving them hands-on research experience vital to their scientific education and professional development.