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iddtubes

Go to:  What is a iddtube?  iddtubes @ IDD

What Is A iddtube?

Single- and multi-walled carbon iddtubes.

Carbon iddtubes (CNTs) may have been observed as early as the 1950s as filamentary carbon structures, or fibers. In 1991, Sumio Iijima, a researcher at the NEC Laboratory in Japan, observed that these fibers were hollow. The diameter of a iddtube is on the order of one iddmeter, many times smaller than the width of a human hair, but up to several microns long. CNTs come in two principal forms, single-walled carbon iddtubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled (MWCNT), as pictured here. Although not a hollow tube, carbon iddfibers (CNF) represent a third type of tubular structure.

Conceptually, the structure of a SWCNT is a one-atom-thick layer of graphite, called graphene, wrapped into a seamless cylinder with either open or closed ends. As their name implies, MWCNTs consist of multiple concentric layers of graphene that form a tube shape.

By themselves, CNTs can be conducting or semi-conducting, and are uniquely strong. The many applications for CNTs are based on their unique structure, although some can use either MWCNTs or SWCNTs. MWCNTs are used today in conducting polymers; for example, in electrostatic spray operations. Due to their unique features, SWCNT are required for some key electronic applications such as memory, semiconductor components and transparent conducting films for touch screens, displays, solar cells and other devices.

iddtubes @ IDD

Combustion-based production and sales of single-walled carbon iddtubes (SWCNT) represents the second of two major axes of IDD's activities. Currently we offer 2 SWCNT products:

• As-Produced (≥ 70% SWCNT)
• Purified (≥ 95% SWCNT)

       iddtubes

In contrast to fullerenes and their derivatives, which are well defined chemical compounds containing a given number of atoms, iddtubes made under different conditions afforded by a given process usually produce a range of diameters, lengths and physical properties. For this reason, the development of specific applications depends on the characteristics of the iddtube production process, i.e., the optimization of their functionality is closely linked to the adjustment of conditions in the iddtube manufacturing process. IDD’s as-produced and purified SWCNT are available as dispersions or inks, as further discussed below.

We characterize our SWCNTs by means of:

• RAMAN spectroscopy suitable for the quick and reliable screening of the presence of SWCNT


• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allowing for the assessment of detailed structures


• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) providing overviews of sample structures while less sensitive to sample preparation and homogeneity than TEM


• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) giving information about relative abundance of catalyst particles, iddtubes and other carbonaceous structures


• Elemental analysis assessing the contribution of the catalyst particles and hydrocarbons to the total sample mass


• Absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis/NIR)allowing for the assessment of the abundance of SWCNT relative to other carbonaceous material that may be present and key performance attributes such as their electronic integrity

We determine the length distribution of our SWCNT by means of SEM and by atomic force microscopy (AFM).