Recent remarkable advances in the field of nanotechnology has been achieved in the last few years especially in the fabrication of sensors that have wide number of applications. Nanomaterials are the foundation of nanotechnology that are measured on nanoscale. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are tube-like materials that are made up of carbon with a diameter calculating on a nanometer scale. They are originated from graphite sheet and these graphite layers seems similar to a rolled up non-stop unbreakable hexagonal like mesh structure and the carbon molecules appears at the apexes of the hexagonal structures. Depending upon the number of carbon layers, carbon nanotubes can be single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be fabricated by three main methods i.e., chemical vapor deposition, electric arc method and laser deposition method. Carbon nanotubes exhibit various characteristic properties such as high elasticity, high thermal conductivity, low density and they are chemically more inert etc. Due to these interesting properties, carbon nanotubes have played a significant role in the field of nanotechnology, electronics, optics and other fields of materials science. Carbon nanotubes are being positively applied in drug delivery, sensing, water treatment etc. Functionalization of their surface can result in highly soluble materials, which can be further derivatized with active molecules, making them compatible with biological systems. Surface functionalization enables adsorption or attachment of various molecules or antigens, which subsequently can be targeted to the desired cell population for immune recognition or a therapeutic effect. In this review, properties of carbon nanotubes and their clinical applications such as medical diagnostics and drug delivery are being discussed. Here, antibacterial as well as antifungal activity of carbon nanotubes are also being reviewed.

Carbon nanotube - A review on Synthesis, Properties and plethora of applications in the field of biomedical science

In today’s nanoscale regime, energy storage is becoming the primary focus for majority of the world’s and scientific community power. Supercapacitor exhibiting high power density has emerged out as the most promising potential for facilitating the major developments in energy storage. In recent years, the advent of different organic and inorganic nanostructured materials like nano carbons, metal oxides, nanosheets of graphene, and conducting polymers has enabled high-performance-fabricated devices. A review of different carbon-based materials used in the fabrication of electrodes for electrochemical capacitors is presented in this paper. Along with materials used, a brief overview of different types of supercapacitors depending on charge storage mechanism is also been discussed. Materials summary including applications have been provided through the exhaustive analysis of the literature. Keeping nano-architecture electrodes in view, a summary of different technologies considering the integration of metal oxide into carbon nanofibers, carbon fiber papers, graphene/reduced graphene oxide, and SWCNTs/MWCNTS has been presented in this work. The specific capacitance in the range of 40–300 F/g had been reported in the literature for the EDLC (electric double-layer capacitors) supercapacitors. In contrast to this, carbon nanomaterials-based metal-oxides supercapacitors (CNMO-SC) have emerged as the new promising candidate which possess large specific capacitance (> 100 F/g), high energy density, and cost effectiveness. Hence, a review of certain types of carbon nanomaterials has also been reported here.

Review of carbon-based electrode materials for supercapacitor energy storage

TiO2 nanofibers (30–50 nm diameter), fabricated by the electro-spinning process, were modified with organo-silane agents via a coupling reaction and were grafted with carbohydrate molecules. The mixture was carbonized to produce a uniform coating of amorphous carbon on the surface of the TiO2 nanofibers. The TiO2@C nanofibers were characterized by high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic property of the functional TiO2 and carbon nanocomposite was tested via the decomposition of an organic pollutant. The catalytic activity of the covalently functionalized nanocomposite was found to be significantly enhanced in comparison to unfunctionalized composite and pristine TiO2 due to the synergistic effect of nanostructured TiO2 and amorphous carbon bound via covalent bonds. The improvement in performance is due to bandgap modification in the 1D co-axial nanostructure where the anatase phase is bound by nano-carbon, providing a large surface to volume ratio within a confined space. The superior photocatalytic performance and recyclability of 1D TiO2@C nanofiber composites for water purification were established through dye degradation experiments.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1591/1/1/015012/pdf

Carbon functionalized TiO2 nanofibers for high efficiency photocatalysis

Ternary NiCoFe-layered double hydroxide (NiCoIIIFe-LDH) with Co3+ is grafted on nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (N-GO) by an in situ growth route. The array-like colloid composite of NiCoIIIFe-LDH/N-GO is used as a bifunctional catalyst for both oxygen evolution/reduction reactions (OER/ORR). The NiCoIIIFe-LDH/N-GO array has a 3D open structure with less stacking of LDHs and an enlarged specific surface area. The hierarchical structure design and novel material chemistry endow high activity propelling O2 redox. By exposing more amounts of Ni and Fe active sites, the NiCoIIIFe-LDH/N-GO illustrates a relatively low onset potential (1.41 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode) in 0.1 mol L−1 KOH solution under the OER process. Furthermore, by introducing high valence Co3+, the onset potential of this material in ORR is 0.88 V. The overvoltage difference is 0.769 V between OER and ORR. The key factors for the excellent bifunctional catalytic performance are believed to be the Co with a high valence, the N-doping of graphene materials, and the highly exposed Ni and Fe active sites in the array-like colloid composite. This work further demonstrates the possibility to exploit the application potential of LDHs as OER and ORR bifunctional electrochemical catalysts.

NiCoFe-Layered Double Hydroxides/N-Doped Graphene Oxide Array Colloid Composite as an Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Oxygen Electrocatalytic Reactions

A novel class of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanomaterials has been surging since 1991 due to their noticeable mechanical and electrical properties, as well as their good electron transport properties. This is evidence that the development of CNT-reinforced polymer composites could contribute in expanding many areas of use, from energy-related devices to structural components. As a promising material with a wide range of applications, their poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents has hindered the utilizations of CNTs. The current state of research in CNTs—both single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced polymer composites—was reviewed in the context of the presently employed covalent and non-covalent functionalization. As such, this overview intends to provide a critical assessment of a surging class of composite materials and unveil the successful development associated with CNT-incorporated polymer composites. The mechanisms related to the mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance of CNT-reinforced polymer composites is also discussed. It is vital to understand how the addition of CNTs in a polymer composite alters the microstructure at the micro- and nano-scale, as well as how these modifications influence overall structural behavior, not only in its as fabricated form but also its functionalization techniques. The technological superiority gained with CNT addition to polymer composites may be advantageous, but scientific values are here to be critically explored for reliable, sustainable, and structural reliability in different industrial needs.

Fabrication, Functionalization, and Application of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composite: An Overview.

Nanocomposites comprising polystyrene/carbon nanotube (PS/CNT) were synthesized via in-situ emulsion polymerization, where the CNTs were functionalized by an unsaturated organic fatty acid. The effect of chain transfer agent (CTA) on nanocomposite synthesis and structure-property relationships were investigated. The presence of CTA affected the polymer molar mass and subsequently the structure of the nanocomposites was altered as a result of the chain length variation. The TEM images showed structural modification of the nanocomposite matrix, and in particular the effect on CNT orientation on using CTA. The composites without CTA (PS/CNT) and with CTA (PS/CNT@CTA) showed significant influence of CTA not only in terms of polymerization kinetics and monomer conversion, but also on the final thermomechanical properties. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PS/CNT nanocomposites were found to be substantially altered when CTA was used during the polymerization process, which were explained in the light of composite structural changes on using CTA.

Influence of chain transfer agent on structure/property relation of polymer nanocomposites with functionalized carbon nanotubes

The realization of the outstanding properties of CNTs (carbon nanotubes) is constrained by their inherent tendency to agglomerate. Emulsion polymerization was used for synthesizing poly(styrene)/CNT nanocomposites with functionalized CNTs. Chain transfer agents (CTAs) were incorporated to control polymer molar mass and end-use properties. Data from electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at variable frequencies were analyzed to characterize and elucidate the electrical characteristics of poly(styrene) (PS)/CNT nanocomposites. The incorporation of CNT in the polymer matrix even at modest concentrations enhanced the electrical properties of the non-conductive poly(styrene) significantly as revealed by EIS spectra. The use of CTA enabled modulation of polymer molar mass and variation in the electrical properties for PS/CNT relative to composites with no CTA. The electrical behavior of PS/CNT dispersion has been shown to depend both on the CNT concentration and molecular weight of the substrate. The equivalent electrical circuit (EEC) analyses with the corresponding system parameters enabled determination of relative CNT arrangements for different types of PS/CNT composites. TEM images confirmed the CNT positions within the composites and helped support interpretation of EIS/EEC data.

Structure and electrochemical properties of polystyrene/CNT nanocomposites

Polymer/silica nanocomposites have substantial commercial potential due to their range of useful properties. The dispersion of nanofillers in the polymer matrix is a key factor in determining the composite property enhancement. We introduced a combination of non–covalent and covalent surface modification to pre–treat silica nanoparticles for improved dispersibility and to attach reactive functional groups with polymerisable sites. The dual step functionalisation was found to be more effective than single step approach in improving dispersion. Polymerisation rate and monomer conversion were unaffected by the functionalisation process. The thermal stability, glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the synthesised composites showed significant enhancements over the bulk polymer.

Enhanced silica nanocomposite via dual step functionalisation and in-situ polymerisation

In situ emulsion polymerization was employed for synthesizing carbon nanotube (CNT) composites in a colloidal system with poly(styrene) or PS to form nanostructured brush. CNTs were initially functionalized with oleic acid, followed by silanization with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane to impart cross-linking properties. Styrene monomers were efficiently grafted to surface modified CNT via emulsion polymerization with variable CNT concentrations. FTIR analyses of the functionalized CNT and PS/CNT composites confirmed the bond formation and effectiveness of the developed experimental method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the desired bonds and the composition of the composites. Structural properties of the composites characterized by TEM confirmed excellent deagglomeration and dispersion of CNTs in PS/CNT composite. Thermal characteristics from TGA and DSC data showed enhanced properties for the nanocomposites as a function of the CNT content. BET measurements indicated significant improvements in surface area and pore volume with enhancements in gas sorption for the polymer nanocomposites.

Polymer brush synthesis on surface modified carbon nanotubes via in situ emulsion polymerization

Synthesizing polystyrene/carbon nanotube composites by emulsion polymerization with non-covalent and covalent functionalization

Handle everyday research tasks with reliable, citation-backed results

Your personal Research Agent to handle research tasks with citation-backed results

Popular Tasks used by Researchers

How can I help with your research?

Meet SciSpace

Get more enhanced response by uploading the PDFs you want me to reference.

No relevant PDFs in your library

SciSpace is the AI research assistant for academics. Run systematic literature reviews on 280M+ papers, and write papers with cited sources. Trusted by 1M+ students, PhDs & researchers.

SciSpace | AI for Research

Analyze PDFs

Code & Manuscripts

Funding & Grants

Literature & Patents

Medical & Clinical Data

Systematic Review

Visualize & Present

Web & Data

Build a Google Scholar-like website for your research.

Build a website

Create charts and images for your research

Create a Chart

Write a paper for submission to a journal

Draft a manuscript

Patent Search

Design eye-catching scientific posters in minutes.

Scientific Poster Generation

Systematic Literature Review

One task is running at the moment. Your messages will be shown right after.

Drag and drop or click here to browse

Loved by <highlight>1 million+</highlight> researchers

Extract a list of specific topics and their sources from unstructured text

Topics

Compare and analyze relevant papers that matches with your search

Papers

Get insights from PDFs and bookmarked papers from your library

My library

Recent searches

Try searching for:

Catch AI-generated content in scholarly and non-scholarly content

{ai} Detector

Ai Writer

Get PDF Summaries, highlighted text explanations 

Chat with PDF

Effortlessly create in-text citations and bibliographies in APA and 2,500 other formats

Citation generator

Get explanations, summaries, and answers on academic papers

Ease up your research workflow with {scispace}'s cohort of exciting AI tools

Elevate your academic writing skills and convey your ideas the way you want

Paraphraser

Explore our range of reading and writing tools

Your file is being prepared and should be ready in a few minutes. If it's a large file, it might take a bit longer. You can close this window, and we'll email you the file when it's done.

You have reached a maximum limit of <strong>{limit}</strong> columns in the table. Remove at least <strong>1</strong> column to add or create another one.

Miftah U. Khan

Author Tools

Chat about Author