Inter-American Materials Collaboration: Large Scale Synthesis of N-doped Carbon Nanotubes for the Fabrication of Novel Polymer Composites and Related Low Dimensional Materials

这项美洲材料合作研究项目由伦斯勒理工学院（RPI）的Pulickel Ajayan和墨西哥圣路易斯波托西的波托西研究科学技术研究所（IPICYT）的Mauricio Terrones领导的研究小组进行。该研究旨在大规模合成n掺杂碳纳米管，用于制造新型聚合物复合材料和相关低维材料。由RPI和IPICYT进行的协同实验研究工作的目的主要集中在使用涉及铁，C和N前体的自组装（热解）工艺批量生产CNx纳米管。最先进的结构表征，以及CNx纳米管的机械、热学和导电性能的测定是在合作中进行的。此外，研究人员还生产和表征了各种类型的导电聚合物、热塑性塑料、减震器聚合物等，这些聚合物都含有CNx纳米管。该项目积极针对两个机构之间的学生和研究人员交流，并通过合作教育倡议和在纽约特洛伊和圣路易斯波托西组织各种研讨会来激励年轻一代。该奖项由材料研究部、国际科学与工程办公室以及数学和物理科学理事会的多学科活动办公室提供支持。

This Inter-American Materials Collaboration research project is carried out by research groups led by Pulickel Ajayan at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Mauricio Terrones at the Instituto Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (IPICYT) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The research addresses the large scale synthesis of N-doped carbon nanotubes for the fabrication of novel polymer composites and related low-dimensional materials. The aim of the synergistic experimental research effort performed by RPI and IPICYT is primarily focused on the bulk production of CNx nanotubes using self-assembly (pyrolytic) processes involving Fe, C and N precursors. State-of-the-art structural characterization, and the determination of the mechanical, thermal and conducting properties of CNx nanotubes is carried out in collaboration. In addition, the researchers produce and characterize various types of conducting polymers, thermoplastics, shock absorber polymers etc., all containing CNx nanotubes.The project actively targets the exchange of students and researchers between both institutions, and motivates young generations through collaborative education initiatives and through the organization of various workshops in Troy, NY, and San Luis Potosi. This award is supported by the Division of Materials Research, the Office of International Science and Engineering, and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.