E-Thesis 229 views 86 downloads
A theoretical and empirical investigation into the growth of ultralong carbon nanotubes / KA YICK
Swansea University Author: KA YICK
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.63623
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were first discovered and named as such by Iijima in 1991. Various institutes and researchers have since widely conducted ongoing research on carbon nanotube growth. The exceptional properties of CNTs, including their electrical and mechanical properties, aim to revolutionise...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | White, Alvin O. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63623 |
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| Abstract: |
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were first discovered and named as such by Iijima in 1991. Various institutes and researchers have since widely conducted ongoing research on carbon nanotube growth. The exceptional properties of CNTs, including their electrical and mechanical properties, aim to revolutionise the applications of electronics and devices in the future such as transmission power lines and lightweight high-strength carbon nanotube fibres. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of growing ultra-long carbon nanotubes (UL-CNTs) that can increase the length to more than a centimetre long can unlock the full potential of the CNTs. This PhD project will have three parts: (Ⅰ) the growth experiments using different types of monometallic & bimetallic iron based catalysts for growing carbon nanotubes; (Ⅱ) the computational simulation of flow fields around carbon nanotube geometry in a micro-scale; (Ⅲ) the applications of carbon nanotubes produced from waste plastics, such as Ethernet & audio cables, and public engagement events about the research. In the growth experiment topic, the primary objective of this research is to study the catalyst activities on the rate of carbon nanotube growth using monometallic (Fe) & bimetallic catalysts (Fe-Cu, Fe-Co, Fe-Ni, Fe-Sn, Fe-Ga, Fe-Mg & Fe-Al) dissolved in deionised water, and find which catalysts have the potential to grow the longest carbon nanotubes with improved characteristics, such as G/D (graphene/ disorders) ratio. As we know, the carbon source gas flow rate and reactor temperature profiles can affect the length of carbon nanotubes from the literature; an effective way to optimise experimental conditions to grow UL-CNTs is to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling methods. So far, there has been little research on the growth of ultra-long carbon nanotubes under a non-continuous flow environment on a nanoscale. Most computational modelling studies have only focused on the continuity of flow in a traditional approach. This research uses the BGK-Boltzmann equation and molecular collision models to investigate flow behaviours at the nanoscopic scale. Thus, this study provides an exciting opportunity to advance the knowledge of growing ultra-long carbon nanotubes (UL-CNTs) of centimetre length or higher and may be used in applications including the carbon nanotube Ethernet and audio cables as mentioned in this project. |
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| Keywords: |
Carbon nanotubes, Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |