Talk about the past and present life of carbon nanotubes and graphene

Are carbon nanotubes graphene?


Carbon atoms are the basis of both graphene (a single-layer graphite sheet) and carbon nanotubes. Graphene is a one-layer graphite layer, the most fundamental structural unit of graphite. Carbon nanotubes are made by curling Graphene. Carbon nanotubes, which are made up of hexagonal tubes of several tens layers of carbon atoms, are formed by arranging the atoms in hexagons. Carbon nanotubes look like graphene (a hexagonal lattice made of carbon) that has been rolled into cylindrical form. Both graphene (a hexagonal lattice of carbon) and carbon nanotubes are characterized by extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties.

Research on carbon nanotubes, as it stands, has reached an advanced level in terms of the preparation technologies, performance characterization, and application exploration. Due to their close association in structure and composition, the research methods of both are very similar. Carbon nanotubes were the original inspiration for many graphene-related research methods.

What is different between carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene (Graphene)?

Graphene can be described as a two dimensional material. It is a graphite layer with hexagonal honeycomb-like lattice. Carbon nanotubes consist of hollow cylinders. They are basically a graphene layer rolled up into a cylindrical shape. Both are representative of two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D) as well as one-dimensional nanomaterials (1D).

Carbon nanotubes, from a structural perspective, are a carbon crystal with a one dimensional structure. Graphene, on the other hand, is a pure two-dimensional carbon crystal composed of just a single carbon layer.

From a performance perspective, graphene exhibits properties that are comparable or even superior to those of carbon nanotubes. These include high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity; high carrier mobility; free electron movement area, and high strength and rigidity.

According to their number of layers they can be divided in single-walled and multi-walled nanotubes. The single-walled carbon Nanotubes are also a division. Layer graphene or graphene microplatelets.

Is graphene a stronger material than carbon nanotubes

Both graphene and carbon nanotubes are graphite in essence. But the arrangement and combinations of carbon atoms differ, creating spiral carbon nanotubes whereas graphene is a sheet. They both share some graphite characteristics.

Carbon nanotubes have achieved similar results in current research, but graphene’s unique two-dimensional structure and wide application make it superior at transferring its mechanical properties. In the present research, carbon nanotubes achieved similar results. However, graphene has more advantages over the long term due to its unique two-dimensional design and application.

Graphene and carbon-nanotubes may have had a similar past, but they will likely have a very different future. The dispute between two-dimensional and three-dimensional material is the primary cause. Nanotubes and nanowires often have a disadvantage when competing against thin-film material. As an example, carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes can be considered as single crystals with high aspect ratios. However, current synthesis technology and assembly techniques cannot create carbon nanotubes with macroscopic sizes, limiting their use in carbon applications. The two-dimensional graphene crystal structure has several properties that are unmatched (strength and electrical conductivity as well heat conduction) and it can grow in an area of a very large size. Combining bottom-up with top-down can lead to exciting future application possibilities.

How is graphene transformed into carbon nanotubes

For carbon nanotubes to be formed, graphene and the carbon atoms are manipulated into a thin plate that is then rolled into an cylinder. The graphene sheets that are used to produce nanotubes have a two-dimensional structure because graphene has only a one-atom thickness.

New graphene and carbon nanotube catalyst can ignite a clean-energy revolution

Researchers have developed promising graphene/carbon nanotube catalysers to better control chemical reactions important for the production of hydrogen fuel.

Fuel cells, water electrolyzers and fuel cells that are efficient and cheap will be at the core of hydrogen fuel economy. This is one of most promising and clean alternatives to fossil-fuels. The electrocatalysts that are used in these devices make them work. Developing low-cost, efficient catalysts will be crucial for making hydrogen fuel an affordable alternative. Researchers from Aalto University created a new kind of catalyst material for these technologies.

The team, in collaboration with CNRS, created a graphene-carbon-nanotube hybrid that is highly porous and contains single atoms known to act as good catalysts. Graphene (CNT) and carbon nanotubes are allotropes of the carbon atom-thick, which can be found in two-dimensional or one-dimensional forms. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are more popular than traditional materials in the industry and academia due to their exceptional performance. The world is awash with interest. They developed an easy and scalable way to grow all these nanomaterials together and combine their properties into a single product.

The catalyst is typically deposited onto the substrate. The role of the substrate on the final reactivity is often ignored by researchers, but in this case, they found that it plays a significant role. The researchers discovered that the porous nature of the material allowed it to access more catalyst sites located at the interface between the substrate and the material. The researchers developed a new electrochemical microscopy analysis method to determine how the interface contributed to the catalytic process and to produce the most potent catalyst. They hope their research on how the matrix influences the catalytic activities of porous material will provide the basis for rational design and guidance for future research.

(aka. Technology Co. Ltd., a trusted global chemical supplier & manufacturer has more than 12 years of experience in providing high-quality Nanomaterials and chemicals. Our company is currently developing a range of powder materials. Our OEM service is also available. To send an email, click on the desired product or send us a message.