Exploring plasma mechanism of synthesis of the ultra-long single wall carbon nanotubes in arc discharge plasma

探索电弧放电等离子体合成超长单壁碳纳米管的等离子体机理

• 批准号: 0853777
• 负责人: Michael Keidar
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: George Washington University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-09-15 至 2012-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0853777&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Exploring; plasma; mechanism; synthesis; ultra

0853777KeidarThe goal of this research is to study the plasma mechanism for synthesizing ultra-long single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in an arc discharge. Their combination of stiffness and toughness makes SWNTs the strongest known fibers. Ultra-long SWNTs (lengths more than 10,000 times larger than their diameters) are expected to enable micro-electric motors and can act as useful nanoscale cables for conducting electricity or heat. Mass production and use will depend on understanding the science behind their synthesis.A possible manufacturing route has been inspired by the recent finding that length might be controlled by a magnetic field in arc-discharge synthesis. The present research studies plasma parameters and the resulting nanotube length distribution, aiming both to understand the effect of the magnetic field and to find the best conditions for synthesis of ultra-long nanotubes. The main distinguishing factor of this study is that the problem of the SWNT synthesis will be approached from the basic analysis of synthesis and rather than by trial and error. A state-of-the-art Langmuir probe technique will significantly expand the limited data on plasma parameters during atmospheric arc discharge. The arc discharge and the plasma interactions with carbon nanotubes will be modeled using previously developed fluid codes. This interdisciplinary project has both fundamental and technological significance. The fundamental significance is that understanding of the arc discharge and SWNT formation mechanism will be greatly expanded. The technological significance lies in exploring the possibility of controlling SWNT synthesis, enhancing SWNT yield, and ultimately paving the way for mass production and industrial utilization. Beyond the fundamental and technological significance, this work will serve as an excellent vehicle for undergraduate and graduate education in the field of nanotechnology and plasma science. To involve women and under-represented minorities, the PIs will work closely with student organizations at George Washington like the Society of Women Engineers. In addition, undergraduate students will be engaged in the research.

本研究的目的是研究在弧光放电条件下等离子体合成超长单壁碳纳米管的机理。它们的刚性和韧性的结合使单壁碳纳米管成为已知最坚固的纤维。超长的单壁碳纳米管(长度超过其直径的10,000倍)有望实现微电机，并可以作为有用的纳米级电缆来传导电力或热量。大规模生产和使用将取决于对其合成背后的科学的理解。最近的一项发现启发了一条可能的制造路线，即在弧光放电合成中，长度可能是由磁场控制的。本研究通过对等离子体参数和纳米管长度分布的研究，旨在了解磁场对纳米管长度分布的影响，寻找制备超长纳米管的最佳条件。这项研究的主要区别因素是，SWNT合成的问题将从合成的基本分析入手，而不是通过反复试验来解决。一种最先进的朗缪尔探头技术将大大扩展大气电弧放电过程中有限的等离子体参数数据。将使用先前开发的流体程序来模拟弧光放电和等离子体与碳纳米管的相互作用。这一跨学科项目具有基础性和技术性两方面的意义。其基本意义在于将极大地扩展对弧光放电和单壁碳纳米管形成机理的认识。其技术意义在于探索控制单壁碳纳米管合成的可能性，提高单壁碳纳米管的产率，最终为大规模生产和工业应用铺平道路。除了基础和技术意义之外，这项工作将成为纳米技术和等离子科学领域本科生和研究生教育的极好工具。为了让女性和代表性不足的少数族裔参与进来，私人助理将与乔治·华盛顿的学生组织密切合作，比如女工程师协会。此外，本科生将从事这项研究。