Carbon Nanofibers

This book presents an extensive review of literature on the properties of carbon nanofibers (CNF) reinforced polymer composites in conjunction with advances in the production and properties of CNFs. It further provides readers a view into the development of lightweight composites whose properties are tailored and enhanced with micro- and nano-reinforcement, along with results from data comparisons from several published investigations.

This book covers the fundamentals and applications of Carbon Nanofiber (CNF). In the first section, the initial chapter on the fundamentals of CNF is by Professor Maheshwar Sharon, the recognized “Father of Carbon Nanotechnology in India”, which powerfully provides a succinct overview of CNFs. This is followed by a chapter on biogenics that have produced unique morphologies of CNF that makes them suitable to various applications. This is followed by a chapter that mainly focuses on nanocomposites, especially those involving nanocomposites of CNF. The role of nanocatalysts and composites in promoting and enhancing the synthesis and application of CNF is then covered, followed by an important chapter on the characterization of CNF. The second section of the book encompasses the various applications of CNF, such as its use as a possible superconductor to adsorb and store hydrogen, and as a microwave absorber. The application of CNF for environmental concerns is also detailed by assessing its usefulness in dye and heavy metal removal from polluted water. The applications that are addressed include lithium-ion battery, solar cell, antenna, cosmetics, usefulness in regenerative medicine, as well as various aspects of agrotechnology.

This book focuses on the application of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers in traditional concretes based on Portland cement. Fundamental information is given related to the production technologies of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, as well as concretes and methods of incorporation. It also contains a section focusing on the possible negative effects of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers on animals and humans. The book indicates benefits and possible problems related to the application of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers in concrete. It is designed to be easy to access and digest for the reader, aiming to reach an audience, not only from academia, but also from the construction industry, materials producers, and contractors who might work with nanomaterials. Outlines the major properties and synthesis methods for carbon nanomaterials in concrete engineering; Explains the role of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers in creating high-performance concrete; Assesses the major challenges of integrating carbon nanomaterials into concrete manufacture on an industrial scale.

This book is divided into two sections. Section One covers the authors' work on the synthesis and characteristics of the various carbon nanofibers and microcoils using chemical vapor deposition and electrospun technologies. This section includes Chapters One through Four. Chapter One is an introductory chapter which presents synthesis, properties and analysis of carbon nanofibers and microcoils prepared by chemical vapor deposition and electrospun technologies. Chapter Two introduces information for approaching electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) with superior mechanical strength from aligned and stretched polyacrylonitrile (PAN) copolymer nanofibers possessing high degrees of morphological and structural perfection. Chapter Three investigates the in-situ and ex-situ processes for the formation of geometrically controlled carbon microcoils and the practical application of carbon microcoils to the various nano/micro electronic or mechanical devices. Chapter Four discusses the synthesis and various characterizations of carbon nanofibers synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of halogenated hydrocarbons. Section Two deals with the recent advances in materials synthesis and characterization of carbon nanofibers and their applications such as Li secondary batteries, supercapacitors and heavy metal remediation in ground and wastewater. This section includes chapter Five through Ten. Chapter Five presents preparation and characterization of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), CNFs-Si, and CNFs-(PC)Si composites synthesized by the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method using transition metal catalysts and applications to anode materials of Li secondary batteries. Chapter Six introduces a synthesis and characterization of carbon nanofibers and Si/carbon nanofiber composites based on Ni and Mo catalysts prepared for the anode material of Li secondary batteries. Chapter Seven discusses the electrophoretic deposition of Ni and Cu catalysts on C-fiber textiles for the growth of carbon nanofibers and coating of silica by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate on carbon nanofibers, and finally applications to the anode materials for Li secondary batteries. Chapter Eight presents synthesis and characterization of transition metal coated carbon nanofibers on Ni foam via CVD followed by a dipping method and electrochemical performance as anode materials for Li secondary batteries. Chapter Nine introduces a design of hierarchical porous carbon materials containing various metal oxides as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. Chapter Ten discusses an innovative carbon nanofibrous composite material prepared by the electrospun method and its application for efficient heavy metal pollutant remediation in contaminated groundwater as well as in wastewater treatment.

This book covers the fundamentals and applications of Carbon Nanofiber (CNF). In the first section, the initial chapter on the fundamentals of CNF is by Professor Maheshwar Sharon, the recognized “Father of Carbon Nanotechnology in India”, which powerfully provides a succinct overview of CNFs. This is followed by a chapter on biogenics that have produced unique morphologies of CNF that makes them suitable to various applications. This is followed by a chapter that mainly focuses on nanocomposites, especially those involving nanocomposites of CNF. The role of nanocatalysts and composites in promoting and enhancing the synthesis and application of CNF is then covered, followed by an important chapter on the characterization of CNF. The second section of the book encompasses the various applications of CNF, such as its use as a possible superconductor to adsorb and store hydrogen, and as a microwave absorber. The application of CNF for environmental concerns is also detailed by assessing its usefulness in dye and heavy metal removal from polluted water. The applications that are addressed include lithium-ion battery, solar cell, antenna, cosmetics, usefulness in regenerative medicine, as well as various aspects of agrotechnology.

This Handbook covers the fundamentals of carbon nanotubes (CNT), their composites with different polymeric materials (both natural and synthetic) and their potential advanced applications. Three different parts dedicated to each of these aspects are provided, with chapters written by worldwide experts in the field. It provides in-depth information about this material serving as a reference book for a broad range of scientists, industrial practitioners, graduate and undergraduate students, and other professionals in the fields of polymer science and engineering, materials science, surface science, bioengineering and chemical engineering. Part 1 comprises 22 chapters covering early stages of the development of CNT, synthesis techniques, growth mechanism, the physics and chemistry of CNT, various innovative characterization techniques, the need of functionalization and different types of functionalization methods as well as the different properties of CNT. A full chapter is devoted to theory and simulation aspects. Moreover, it pursues a significant amount of work on life cycle analysis of CNT and toxicity aspects. Part 2 covers CNT-based polymer nanocomposites in approximately 23 chapters. It starts with a short introduction about polymer nanocomposites with special emphasis on CNT-based polymer nanocomposites, different manufacturing techniques as well as critical issues concerning CNT-based polymer nanocomposites. The text deeply reviews various classes of polymers like thermoset, elastomer, latex, amorphous thermoplastic, crystalline thermoplastic and polymer fibers used to prepare CNT based polymer composites. It provides detailed awareness about the characterization of polymer composites. The morphological, rheological, mechanical, viscoelastic, thermal, electrical, electromagnetic shielding properties are discussed in detail. A chapter dedicated to the simulation and multiscale modelling of polymer nanocomposites is an additional attraction of this part of the Handbook. Part 3 covers various potential applications of CNT in approximately 27 chapters. It focuses on individual applications of CNT including mechanical applications, energy conversion and storage applications, fuel cells and water splitting, solar cells and photovoltaics, sensing applications, nanofluidics, nanoelectronics and microelectronic devices, nano-optics, nanophotonics and nano-optoelectronics, non-linear optical applications, piezo electric applications, agriculture applications, biomedical applications, thermal materials, environmental remediation applications, anti-microbial and antibacterial properties and other miscellaneous applications and multi-functional applications of CNT based polymer nanocomposites. One chapter is fully focussed on carbon nanotube research developments: published papers and patents. Risks associated with carbon nanotubes and competitive analysis of carbon nanotubes with other carbon allotropes are also addressed in this Handbook.

This book overviews the current status of research and development activities of CNTs in nanodevices, nanomaterials, or nanofabrication. This book presents 15 state-of-the-art review articles that cover CNT synthesis technologies for growing highly orientated CNTs, chirality-pure CNTs and CNTs at a large throughput and low cost, CNT assembly techniques, CNT sorting and separation processes, CNT functionalization engineering for more functionalities, CNT fundamental properties and their practical/potential electrical, electronic, optical, mechanical, chemical and biological applications.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), discovered in 1991, have been a subject of intensive research for a wide range of applications. In the past decades, although carbon nanotubes have undergone massive research, considering the success of silicon, it has, nonetheless, been difficult to appreciate the potential influence of carbon nanotubes in current technology. The main objective of this book is therefore to give a wide variety of possible applications of carbon nanotubes in many industries related to electron device technology. This should allow the user to better appreciate the potential of these innovating nanometer sized materials. Readers of this book should have a good background on electron devices and semiconductor device physics as this book presents excellent results on possible device applications of carbon nanotubes. This book begins with an analysis on fabrication techniques, followed by a study on current models, and it presents a significant amount of work on different devices and applications available to current technology.