SBIR Phase I: Carbon Nanotubes for Field Emission Displays

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目旨在开发一种新型的低成本方法，用于制备场发射显示器（FED）应用的多壁碳纳米管（MWCNT）。碳纳米管具有长径比大、尖端曲率半径小的特点。这种结构特性，加上高的导电性、化学惰性和机械强度，使它们成为场发射平板显示器的有前途的发射体。CNT通常通过高压化学气相沉积工艺制备，但由于生产成本高，这些方法具有严重的局限性。最近提出的碳纳米管制备的替代方法包括等离子体活化和催化生长，但它们受到低产率或金属污染的限制。在第一阶段的工作中，材料修改公司。提出了通过结合热解和化学方法由容易获得的原料合成碳纳米管。这样生产的CNT将是化学纯的，因为在该方法中没有使用金属催化剂，并且形成的任何副产物都是蒸气状态，不会污染它。潜在的商业应用包括显示辅助平板控制面板、所有类型的触摸屏设备、用于专业和娱乐显示器的平板监视器以及海军和空中监视系统。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims at developing a novel low-cost method for the preparation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) for Field Emission Displays (FED) applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are characterized by high aspect ratio and small radius of curvature at their tips. This structural property, together with high electrical conduction, chemical inertness and mechanical strength makes them promising emitters for field emission flat panel displays. CNTs have been conventionally prepared by high-pressure, chemical-vapor-deposition processes, but these approaches have serious limitations owing to high cost of production. Recently suggested alternative methods of CNT preparation include plasma activation and catalytic growth, but they are limited by low yields or metal contaminations. In this Phase I effort, Materials Modification, Inc. proposes to synthesize carbon nanotubes from readily available raw materials by combining a pyrolysis and chemical process. The CNT thus produced will be chemically pure since no metal catalyst is used in the process and any side-products formed are in vapor state and will not contaminate it.Potential commercial applications include display aided flat bedded control panels, all types of touch screen facilities, flat panel monitors for both professional and entertainment displays, and naval and air surveillance systems.