Mechanism of Near-Field Raman Enhancement in One-Dimensional Systems

We develop a theory of near-field Raman enhancement in one-dimensional systems, and report supporting experimental results for carbon nanotubes. The enhancement is established by a laser-irradiated nanoplasmonic structure acting as an optical antenna. The near-field Raman intensity is inversely proportional to the 10th power of the separation between the enhancing structure and the one-dimensional system. Experimental data obtained from single-wall carbon nanotubes indicate that the Raman enhancement process is not significantly influenced by the specific phonon eigenvector, and is mainly defined by the properties of the nanoplasmonic structure

Pyrolysis-catalysis of waste plastic using a nickel-stainless steel mesh catalyst for high value carbon products.

A stainless steel mesh loaded with nickel catalyst was produced and used for the pyrolysis-catalysis of waste high density polyethylene with the aim of producing high value carbon products, including carbon nanotubes. The catalysis temperature and plastic to catalyst ratio were investigated to determine the influence on the formation of different types of carbon deposited on the nickel-stainless steel mesh catalyst. Increasing temperature from 700 to 900 °C resulted in an increase in the carbon deposited on the nickel loaded stainless steel mesh catalyst from 32.5 wt.% to 38.0 wt.%. The increase of sample to catalyst ratio reduced the amount of carbon deposited on the mesh catalyst in terms of g carbon g(-1) plastic. The carbons were found to be largely composed of filamentous carbons, with negligible disordered (amorphous) carbons. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the filamentous carbons revealed them to be composed of a large proportion (estimated at ∼40%) multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The optimum process conditions for carbon nanotube production, in terms of yield and graphitic nature, determined by Raman spectroscopy, was catalysis temperature of 800 °C and plastic to catalyst ratio of 1:2 where a mass of 334 mg of filamentous/multi-walled carbon nanotubes g(-1) plastic was produced

Trapping cold atoms using surface-grown carbon nanotubes

We present a feasibility study for loading cold atomic clouds into magnetic traps created by single-wall carbon nanotubes grown directly onto dielectric surfaces. We show that atoms may be captured for experimentally sustainable nanotube currents, generating trapped clouds whose densities and lifetimes are sufficient to enable detection by simple imaging methods. This opens the way for a novel type of conductor to be used in atomchips, enabling atom trapping at sub-micron distances, with implications for both fundamental studies and for technological applications

Dynamics Of The Formation Of Carbon Nanotube Serpentines.

Recently, Geblinger et al. [Nat. Nanotechnol. 3, 195 (2008)] reported the experimental realization of carbon nanotube S-like shaped nanostructures, the so-called carbon nanotube serpentines. We report here results from multimillion fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of their formation. We consider one-μm-long carbon nanotubes placed on stepped substrates with and without a catalyst nanoparticle on the top free end of the tube. A force is applied to the upper part of the tube during a short period of time and turned off; then the system is set free to evolve in time. Our results show that these conditions are sufficient to form robust serpentines and validates the general features of the falling spaghetti model proposed to explain their formation.11010550

Characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles in langmuir-blodgett films

In this work we have synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles, using either a sol–gel base catalysed process in the interior of CTAB reversed micelles (TiO2 CTAB sol), or the neutralization of a TiO2/H2SO4 solution in the interior of AOT reversed micelles. From the absorption and emission data of the TiO2 nanoparticles it is possible to conclude that in the sol–gel route there remains alkoxide groups in the structure, originating transitions lower than the energy gap of TiO2 semiconductor. These transitions disappear in the neutralization procedure, where the alkoxide groups are absent in the structure. We have assigned the observed indirect and direct optical transitions according to the anatase band structure. TiO2 Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films were prepared either by direct deposition of titanium isopropoxide or by deposition of the TiO2 CTAB sol. These films showed photoluminescence, which was attributed to band-gap emission and to surface recombination of defect states

Inducing ferroelastic domains in single crystal CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires using atomic force microscopy

Ferroelectric and ferroelastic domains have been predicted to enhance metal halide perovskite MHP solar cell performance. While the formation of such domains can be modified by temperature, pressure, or strain, established methods lack spatial control at the level of single domains. Here, we induce the formation of ferroelastic domains in CsPbBr3 nanowires at room temperature using an atomic force microscope AFM tip and visualize the domains using nanofocused x ray diffraction with a 60 nm beam. Regions scanned with a low AFM tip force show orthorhombic 004 reflections along the nanowire axis, while regions exposed to higher forces exhibit 220 reflections. The applied stress locally changes the crystal structure, leading to lattice tilts that define ferroelastic domains, which spread spatially and terminate at 112 type domain walls. The ability to induce individual ferroelastic domains within MHPs using AFM gives new possibilities for device design and fundamental experimental studie

Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotubes from Pyrolysis-Catalysis of Waste Plastics: A Review

More than 27 million tonnes of waste plastics are generated in Europe each year representing a considerable potential resource. There has been extensive research into the production of liquid fuels and aromatic chemicals from pyrolysis-catalysis of waste plastics. However, there is less work on the production of hydrogen from waste plastics via pyrolysis coupled with catalytic steam reforming. In this paper, the different reactor designs used for hydrogen production from waste plastics are considered and the influence of different catalysts and process parameters on the yield of hydrogen from different types of waste plastics are reviewed. Waste plastics have also been investigated as a source of hydrocarbons for the generation of carbon nanotubes via the chemical vapour deposition route. The influences on the yield and quality of carbon nanotubes derived from waste plastics are reviewed in relation to the reactor designs used for production, catalyst type used for carbon nanotube growth and the influence of operational parameters