Super carbon nanotubes
A nanotube is simply defined as a nanometer-scale tubular structure. There are different types of nanonotubes:
- Carbon nanotube
- Silicon nanotube
- Boron nitride nanotube
- Inorganic nanotube
- DNA nanotube
- Membrane nanotube
In this article, I will try to give you some clues about Carbon nanotubes.
Carbon nanotubes are made up of pure carbon. However, there are some composite materials also, but the main element is carbon.
Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes:
Specific density of carbon nanotubes: 1.3 – 2 gr/cm3
(Specific density of steel: 7.8 gr/cm3)
Tensile strength of carbon nanotubes: 10-60 GPa
(Tensile strength of steel: 4.1 GPa)
Thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes: > 3000 W/m.k
Thermal conductivity of copper: 400 W/m.k
Electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes: 10^6 – 10^7
Electrical conductivity of copper: 6*10^7
Potential usage areas of carbon nanotubes:
- Flat panel displays
- Electronics
- Super capacitors
- Super strong fibers
- Textile
- Structural materials
(The above values are some typical values, because the actual properties of carbon nanotubes differ for single and multi-walled structures.)
Carbon nanotube technology companies:
http://www.nano-lab.com/nanotubesuspensions.html
http://www.baytubes.com/technology_and_applications/general_information.html Bayer Material Science
http://www.cheaptubesinc.com/ CheapTubes
References