Single step process for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and metal/alloy-filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A single-step approach for the synthesis of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) filled with nanowires of Ni/ternary Zr based hydrogen storage alloy has been illustrated. We also demonstrate the generation of CO-free hydrogen by methane decomposition over alloy hydride catalyst. The present work also highlights the formation of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) and MWNTs at varying process conditions. These carbon nanostructures have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. This new approach overcomes the existing multi-step process limitation, with possible impact on the development of future fuel cell, nano-battery and hydrogen sensor technologies

Carbon nanohorn/liposome systems: Preformulation, design and in vitro toxicity studies

In the present work, the convergence of two different drug delivery systems is investigated, namely the combination of carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and liposomes. Our effort initially included the synthesis of two conversely charged carbon nanohorns and their subsequent analysis through various methods. The study of their effect on the thermotropic behavior of artificial membranes provided an essential assistance for the upcoming liposome preparation, which were estimated for their physicochemical properties. The presence of CNHs alters the calorimetric parameters of the lipids. We also prepared CNHs:liposome systems. The characteristic morphology and secondary spherical superstructure of CNHs is retained in the chimeric materials, suggesting that the interactions with the liposomes do not alter the dahlia-flower-like aggregation of CNHs. Both CNHs-liposome systems exhibit a relatively small cellular cytotoxicity in vitro, tested in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. To summarize, we developed CNHs:liposome platforms with a complete knowledge of their thermotropic, physicochemical, morphological and nanotoxicological characteristics. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Covalent decoration onto the outer walls of double walled carbon nanotubes with perylenediimides

The outer walls of double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) have been selectively functionalized with different substituted perylenediimides (PDIs) leaving the inner walls intact. The spacer connecting DWCNTs and PDIs, and the PDI macrocycle position has been varied to visualize the DWCNT-PDI interactions in the hybrids. Evidence of outer wall functionalization and the degree of PDI substitution on DWCNTs were arrived from HR-TEM, AFM, FTIR, TGA, XPS and Raman techniques while nanotube-photosentisizer interactions were probed from studies involving optical absorbance and emission, and electrochemical techniques. Fine-tuning of the electronic states of PDIs in the hybrids was possible with the present covalent approach. The fluorescence of PDIs in the hybrids was found to be quenched (60-70%) due to interactions with DWCNTs. Further, femtosecond transient absorption and photocatalytic electron pooling studies were performed to seek evidence of charge separation in these hybrids. In agreement with earlier studies, evidence of charge separation from the transient studies was bleak, and accordingly, yields of photocatalytic electron pooling were much lower than those reported earlier for fullerene and single walled carbon nanotube based hybrids. The present study is suggestive of further tuning of donor-acceptor energy levels in DWCNT derived hybrids for efficient charge separation and stabilization.This research was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Mineco) of Spain (CTQ2013-48252-P and CTQ2011-26455), Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (PEII-2014-014-P), Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2012/010 and ISIC/2012/008) and the US-National Science Foundation (Grant No. 1401188 to FD). One of us (MB) thanks a FPI grant from Mineco.Peer Reviewe

Synthesis and structure of high-quality films of copper polyphthalocyanine-2D conductive polymer

Sedlovets DM, Shuvalov MV, Vishnevskiy Y, et al. Synthesis and structure of high-quality films of copper polyphthalocyanine-2D conductive polymer. Materials Research Bulletin. 2013;48(10):3955-3960.Copper polyphthalocyanine (CuPPC), a 2D conjugated polymer, is a promising material for electronics and photovoltaics, but its applications were hindered by a poor processability. We propose an experimental approach, by which thin films of CuPPC, can be directly synthesized in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) set-up at mild temperature (420 degrees C). High polymerization degree and high crystallinity of the films were confirmed by TEM, FTIR and UV-vis studies. From XRD and TEM electron diffraction, we conclude that the polymer has AA layer stacking with the inter-layer distance of 0.32 nm. The assignment of X-ray and TEM diffraction patterns was based on quantum-chemical calculations. Based on the latter, we also discuss electronic structure and conclude that CuPPC is rather a semi-metal than semi-conductor. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Structure, Properties, Functionalization, and Applications of Carbon Nanohorns.

Carbon nanohorns (sometimes also known as nanocones) are conical carbon nanostructures constructed from an sp(2) carbon sheet. Nanohorns require no metal catalyst in their synthesis, and can be produced in industrial quantities. They provide a realistic and useful alternative to carbon nanotubes, and possibly graphene, in a wide range of applications. They also have their own unique behavior due to their specific conical morphology. However, their research and development has been slowed by several factors, notably during synthesis, they aggregate into spherical clusters ~100 nm in diameter, blocking functionalization and treatment of individual nanocones. This limitation has recently been overcome with a new approach to separating these "dahlia-like" clusters into individual nanocones. In this review, we describe the structure, synthesis, and topology of carbon nanohorns, and provide a detailed review of nanohorn chemistry