10 research outputs found
Covalently bonded three-dimensional carbon nanotube solids via boron induced nanojunctions
The establishment of covalent junctions between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the modification of their straight tubular morphology are two strategies needed to successfully synthesize nanotube-based three-dimensional (3D) frameworks exhibiting superior material properties. Engineering such 3D structures in scalable synthetic processes still remains a challenge. This work pioneers the bulk synthesis of 3D macroscale nanotube elastic solids directly via a boron-doping strategy during chemical vapour deposition, which influences the formation of atomic-scale “elbow” junctions and nanotube covalent interconnections. Detailed elemental analysis revealed that the “elbow” junctions are preferred sites for excess boron atoms, indicating the role of boron and curvature in the junction formation mechanism, in agreement with our first principle theoretical calculations. Exploiting this material’s ultra-light weight, super-hydrophobicity, high porosity, thermal stability, and mechanical flexibility, the strongly oleophilic sponge-like solids are demonstrated as unique reusable sorbent scaffolds able to efficiently remove oil from contaminated seawater even after repeated use
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YBa sub 2 Cu sub (3-x) Co sub x O sub y : A substrate material for YBCO superconductors
The physical properties of the ceramic YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub (3-x)}Co{sub x}O{sub y} have been investigated in order to evaluate its usefulness as a substrate material for YBCO superconductors. YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub (3-x)}Co{sub x}O{sub y} has been found to be thermally and chemically compatible with 123 and displays adequate electrical properties for a substrate material. A material with the nominal composition of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 2.2}Co{sub 0.8}O{sub 7} was investigated, extensively. The mechanical properties of this material were found to be poor, e.g., tensile strength was only 60 MPa. A semiconductor-like behavior was observed with a room-temperature resistivity of 70 m{Omega}.cm and a resistivity equal to 4 {times} 10{sup 6} m{Omega}.cm at 77 K