Engineering Commons^™

A Highly Conductive, Flexible, And 3d-Printable Carbon Nanotube-Elastomer Ink For Additive Bio-Manufacturing, Andy Shar, Phillip Glass, Daeha Joung Ph.D.

Undergraduate Research Posters

The synthesis of a highly conductive, flexible, 3D-printable, and biocompatible ink has been of great interest in the field of bio-based additive manufacturing. Various applications include ultra-sensitive, microscale tactile sensors, patient-customizable scaffolds for cardiac and nerve tissue regeneration, and flexible electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes. Here, a novel elastomeric carbon nanocomposite is presented consisting of amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT-NH₂) homogenously dispersed in a one-part room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone matrix. The use of acetone as a swelling solvent aids in electrical percolation through the elastomer matrix. CNT-NH₂ ratios can be tuned to fit various needs; higher tensile strength is favored …

Preparation Of Co1-XS-Mns@Cnts/Cnfs For Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Fang-Yan Liu, Qian Zhang, Yue-Kun Li, Feng Huang, Meng-Ye Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

As an important cathode reaction in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a complex reaction of slow kinetics, which severely limits performances of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Therefore, it is of key importance to find an efficient and stable electrocatalyst to promote ORR. Carbon-based materials, which possess high conductivity, good stability and large specific surface area, are usually used in electrocatalytic ORR. However, pure carbon-based materials exhibit low efficiency. Coupling carbon-based materials with manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) transition metals containing 3d orbitals is an effective way to improve electrocatalytic performance. Herein, carbon nanofibers containing …

Development Of Novel Membranes For Nanocarbon Enhanced Separation With Application In Biofuels And Solvent Recover, Oindrila Gupta

Dissertations

Pharmaceutical industries historically have had one of the highest amounts of solvent waste generated per unit of drug manufactured. Energy requirements and carbon footprint of current solvent recycling processes tend to be quite high, and the incineration of the solvents for waste disposal produces toxic air emissions. Also, rapidly increasing demand for energy and strict regulation on engine pollutant emissions have necessitated the use of alcohol as carbon-neutral fuels. Thermal distillation is one of the most common methods for the separation of alcohol-water mixtures. However, its application is limited due to energy requirements and high operating costs, and heating to …

A Promising Modification Of Pt Surfaces With Cnts For Decreasing Poisoning Impact In Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Islam M. Al-Akraa Dr., Yaser M. Asal Mr, Aya A. Khalifa Ms.

Chemical Engineering

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are clean energy sources that have many applications due to the high energy density of methanol as a fuel. However, this type of fuel cells (FCs) has limitations that are preventing it from being commercialized. One such limitation is the adsorption of intermediates such as CO into the surface of the Platinum (Pt) catalyst during methanol oxidation (MO) which deactivates its active sites, where the reaction is taking place, and leads to poisoning of the electrode over the long term. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been introduced to the Pt-modified glassy carbon …

A Simple And Effective Way To Overcome Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Of Platinum Surfaces In Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells, Islam M. Al-Akraa Dr., Yaser M. Asal Mr, Sohair A. Darwish Ms

Chemical Engineering

A glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), Pt/MWCNTs-GC, has been introduced for formic acid electro-oxidation (FAO). A similar loading of PtNPs has been conserved for a proper comparison between the Pt/MWCNTs-GC and the unmodified Pt/GC electrodes. The modification with MWCNTs could enhance the loading of PtNPs onto the GC electrode in a way that minimizes its agglomeration and increases its dispersion in the CNTs network. This not only increases the surface area exposed to the reaction but also interrupts the contiguity of the Pt active sites minimizing the adsorption of the poisoning …

Fabrication Of Mnox/Mwcnts-Gc Nanocatalyst For Oxygen Evolution Reaction, Islam M. Al-Akraa Dr., Yaser M. Asal Mr, Amr M. Arafa Eng.

Chemical Engineering

Manganese oxide (MnOx) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are intended to modify the GC electrode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Optimization of MnOx loading is carried out and the deposition of 55 cycles was sufficient to obtain the highest activity toward OER. The stability of the catalyst is enhanced by the addition of MWCNTs. As a result, an amount of 22 kWh/Kg of O2 of energy is saved. Several techniques including cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy will be combined to track the catalyst activity and to determine its morphology …

Heat, Charge And Spin Transport Of Thin Film Nanostructures, Devin John Wesenberg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Understanding of fundamental physics of transport properties in thin film nanostructures is crucial for application in spintronic, spin caloritronics and thermoelectric applications. Much of the difficulty in the understanding stems from the measurement itself. In this dissertation I present our thermal isolation platform that is primarily used for detection of thermally induced effects in a wide variety of materials. We can accurately and precisely produce in-plane thermal gradients in these membranes, allowing for thin film measurements on 2-D structures. First, we look at thermoelectric enhancements of doped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube thin films. We use the Wiedemann-Franz law to calculate …

Transport Of Water And Ions Through Single-Walled Armchair Carbon Nanotubes: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Michelle Patricia Aranha

Doctoral Dissertations

The narrow hydrophobic interior of a carbon nanotube (CNT) poses a barrier to the transport of water and ions, and yet, unexpectedly, numerous experimental and simulation studies have confirmed fast water transport rates comparable to those seen in biological aquaporin channels. These outstanding features of high water permeability and high solute rejection of even dissolved ions that would typically require a lot of energy for separation in commercial processes makes carbon nanotubes an exciting candidate for desalination membranes. Extending ion exclusion beyond simple mechanical sieving by the inclusion of electrostatics via added functionality to the nanotube bears promise to not …

Confinement Effects And Magnetic Interactions In Magnetic Nanostructures, Kristen Lee Stojak Repa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Multifunctional nanocomposites are promising for a variety of applications ranging from microwave devices to biomedicine. High demand exists for magnetically tunable nanocomposite materials. My thesis focuses on synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials such as polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with magnetic nanoparticle (NP) fillers.

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NPs with controlled shape, size, and crystallinity were successfully synthesized and used as PNC fillers in a commercial polymer provided by the Rogers Corporation and poly(vinylidene fluoride). Magnetic and microwave experiments were conducted under frequencies of 1-6 GHz in the presence of …

Investigation Of Carbon Nanomaterials Embedded In A Cementitious Matrix, Clarissa A. Roe

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The objective of this thesis was to investigate whether the addition of carbon nanofibers had an effect on the splitting tensile strength of Hydro-Stone gypsum concrete. The carbon nanofibers used were single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), buckminsterfullerene (C60), and graphene oxide (GO). Evidence of the nanofibers interacting with gypsum crystals in a connective manner was identified in both 1 mm thick concrete discs and concrete columns possessing a height of 2 in and a diameter of 1 in. Before imaging, the columns were subjected to a splitting tensile strength test. The results illustrate that while there is a general decrease in …

Removal Of Perfluorooctanoic Acid From Water Using Primitive, Conventional And Novel Carbonaceous Sorbent Materials, Christopher K. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), like perfluorooctanoic acid, have been used for the last 50 years in a wide variety of industrial processes and consumer-based products, including polymer additives, lubricants, fire retardants and suppressants, pesticides, and surfactants (Buck et al. 2015). The Department of Defense (DoD) has used PFAS-based Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) at fire training facilities and aircraft hangars. AFFF has contaminated approximately 600 sites classified as fire training facilities with PFAS (Huang, 2013).

This study focused on testing the most likely carbonaceous adsorbent compounds to remediate PFAS-contaminated sites on Air Force installations. Batch tests were performed to determine the …

Degradation And Exciton Energy Transfer Studies In Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Bundles, Abhishek Gottipati

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) due to their unique optical behavior, large surface area, robust mechanical strength and electrical properties make them one of the ideal candidates for sensing and opto-electronic applications. In this work, we explore the energy transfer (exciton energy transfer-EET) phenomena occurring between nanotubes in bundles, using resonance Raman spectroscopy.

Effect Of Carbon Nanotubes On Anodic Properties Of Ti/Ru-Ir-Sn Oxides, Feng Lian, Yong-Lei Xin, Bo-Jiang Ma, Li-Kun Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Ru-Ir-Sn metal oxide anodes coated on titanium (Ti/Ru-Ir-Sn) were prepared by thermal decomposition. The effects of amounts of carbon naotubes (CNTs) on anodic properties were studied by TGA, SEM, EDS, cyclic voltammetry, EIS, polarization measurements and accelerated life test. The thermogravimetric analysis and EDS spectrum data showed that the high temperature oxidation decomposition of CNTs did not take place under the condition of the sintering temperature of 470 ℃, and the CNTS still existed in the anode coating in an element form. Compared with the contrast samples, the surface crack of the coating increased, but remained typical morphology. Adding …

Boosting Electrocatalytic Activity Of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Composite For Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Yu Zhang, Jin-Song Hu, Wen-Jie Jiang, Lin Guo, Zi-Dong Wei, Li-Jun Wan

Journal of Electrochemistry

Developing low-cost catalysts with high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has recently attracted much attention because the sluggish ORR currently limits the performance and commercialization of fuel cells and metal-air batteries as well. Nitrogen doped carbon materials have been considered as a promising candidate for the replacement of high-cost and scarce Pt-based catalysts although their electrocatalytic activity still needs to be much improved. In this work, an improved nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotubes composite (N-rGO/CNT) was developed as an efficient ORR electrocatalyst. It was found that the ORR activity of N-rGO/CNT composite could be significantly enhanced by introducing iron in …

A Sensitive And Label-Free Electrochemical Aptasensor Based On Signal Amplification Of Carbon Nanotubes, Chun-Yan Deng, Hui-Min Fan, Juan Xiang, Yuan-Jian Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

A label-free electrochemical sensing electrode for highly sensitive detection of adenosine was constructed based on the signal amplification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The change in the interfacial feature of the modified electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Using [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ as the signaling moiety, adenosine with concentrations as low as 0.027 nmol·L^-1 can be selectively detected. Additionally, the fabrication of this present aptasensor was simple, time-saving and cost-effective. Compared with other reported aptasensors, the proposed aptasensor had advantages of excellent sensitivity, selectivity and simplicity, which plays a potential role in development of aptasensor.

Design And Development Of A Novel Glucose Biosensor Based On The Ferrocene-Functionalized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanotubes/Chitosan Nanocomposite Film Modified Electrode, Hua-Ping Peng, Dai-Jun Zha, Wei Chen, Ai-Lin Liu, Xin-Hua Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

A novel platform for the fabrication of glucose biosensor was successfully constructed by entrapping glucose oxidase (GOD) in a ferrocene monocarboxylic acid-aminated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles conjugate (FMC-AFNPs)/chitosan (CS)/multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposite. The formation of FMC-AFNPs could effectively prevent the leakage of ferrocene and retain its electrochemical activity. This GOD/FMC-AFNPs/CS/MWNTs matrix provided a biocompatible microenvironment for retaining the native activity of the immobilized GOD. Moreover, the presence of MWNTs enhanced the charge-transport properties of the composite and facilitated electron transfer between the GOD and the electrode for the electrocatalysis of glucose. Under the optimal conditions the designed …

Synthesis And Electron Emission Properties Of Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays, Suman Neupane

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become one of the most interesting allotropes of carbon due to their intriguing mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical properties. The synthesis and electron emission properties of CNT arrays have been investigated in this work. Vertically aligned CNTs of different densities were synthesized on copper substrate with catalyst dots patterned by nanosphere lithography. The CNTs synthesized with catalyst dots patterned by spheres of 500 nm diameter exhibited the best electron emission properties with the lowest turn-on/threshold electric fields and the highest field enhancement factor. Furthermore, CNTs were treated with NH₃ plasma for various durations and the …

Electrochemical Performance Of Screen-Printed Composite Coatings Of Conducting Polymers And Carbon Nanotubes On Titanium Bipolar Plates In Aqueous Asymmetrical Supercapacitors, Xiaohang Zhou, George Z. Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Composites of conducting polymers (polypyrrole and polyaniline) with acid treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were formulated into printable aqueous inks, with the aid of functional additives (benzethonium chloride as a surfactant with or without polyvinyl alcohol as a binder). The inks were screen-printed as fairly uniform coatings of various mass loading densities and areas (up to 75 mg cm^-2 and 100 cm²) on thin titanium plates (0.1 mm in thickness). These screen-printed plates were used to fabricate both unit cell and multi-cell stack of asymmetrical supercapacitors with screen-printed negative electrodes of activated carbon (pigment black) in aqueous electrolytes …

Synthesis And Characterizations Of Pyridinium Salts Including Poly(Pyridinium Salt)S And Their Applications, Tae Soo Jo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Pyridinium salts, both molecular and polymeric, are an interesting class of multifunctional materials that exhibit liquid-crystalline and light-emitting properties. Moreover, their properties can be easily tuned by introducing new types of anions or by modifying their chemical structures. This dissertation describes synthesis and characterization of poly(pyridinium salt)s containing macrocounterions and fluorene moieties in their backbones, synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites of poly(pyridinium salt)s with single-walled carbon nanotubes via non-covalent interactions, and synthesis and characterizations of pyridinium salts having different aliphatic linkages and their application in organic acid sensing.

First, all of these ionic polymers were prepared by either ring-transmutation or …

Carbon Nanotubes With Ni2P Nanoparticles As A Counter Electrode In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Yan-Ye Dou, Nan-Fu Yan, Guo-Ran Li, Xue-Ping Gao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported by Ni₂P nanoparticles are prepared and used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The CNTs-Ni₂P composite was prepared by the heat treatment of a mixed precursor including nickel chloride, sodium hypophosphite and CNTs in argon atmosphere. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the as-prepared sample consists of hexagonal Ni2P and carbon nanotubes. No peaks of other nickel phosphides are observed in the XRD pattern. Microstructure of the Ni₂P-CNTs composite was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is shown that the Ni …

Mox/Cnts Hetero-Structures For Gas Sensing Applications: Role Of Cnts Defects, G. Neri, S. G. Leonardi, N. Donato, C. Marichy, Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, M.-G. Willinger, Kyeong-Hwan Lee, N. Pinna

Jean-Philippe Tessonnier

The preparation, characterization and sensing properties of CNT composites with a thin metal oxide (MOx) surface layer is presented. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was applied for the coating of the inner and outer CNTs walls with thin films of ZnO and SnO2 of precisely controlled thicknesses. Differently treated CNTs with different degree of surface functionalization were used as support for the oxide films. The sensing properties of the obtained composite materials towards NO2 were investigated and related to the morphological and microstructural characteristics of both the coating and support. SnO2-based composites on CNTs treated at 700 °C show enhanced performance …

Study On The Electrochemical Behaviors Of Gc Electrode Modified With Carbon Nanotube-Polyelectrolytes And Its Application For Rutin Detection, Liang Hua, Xia-Qin Wu, Rong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behaviors of rutin and ascorbic acid at single-wall carbon nanotube and polyelectrolytes (dimethyl-diallylammonium chloride, PDDA) film modified glassy carbon electrode was investigated. The cyclic voltammetric results showed that electron transfer of rutin at PDDA/SWCNTs/GC modified electrode is an adsorption-controlled process. The separation of oxidation peak potentials of rutin and ascorbic acid was more than 200 mV. The rutin concentration in the presence of AA were detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The experimental results indicated that the PDDA/SWCNTs/GC modified electrode can be used for the detection of rutin in the presence of high concentration of AA. The DPV …

Investigation Of Electrical Transport In Hydrogenated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Adam Friedman, Hyunkyung Chun, Don Heiman, Yung Jung, Latika Menon

Latika Menon

Highly disordered multiwalled carbon nanotubes of large outer diameter (~60 nm) fabricated by means of chemical vapor deposition process inside porous alumina templates exhibit ferromagnetism when annealed in a H2/Ar atmosphere. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, there is a transition from positive to negative magnetoresistance. The transition may be explained in terms of the Bright model for ordered and disordered carbon structures. Additionally, temperature dependent electrical transport experiments exhibit a zero-bias anomaly at low temperature.

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Hydrazine At Rutin Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode, Hong-Fang Zhang, Qing-Lin Sheng, Jian-Bin Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine on rutin multiwall carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry.The experimental results indicated that the electrode exhibits good electrocatalytic activity to hydrazine at a reduced oxidation potential of 262 mV.The amperometric response of the modified electrode showed linear increase after successive addition of hydrazine in the concentration range of 2.5×10-6~1.0×10-4 mol·L-1 with a detection limit of 5×10-7 mol·L-1.

Enhanced [Ru(Bpy)_3]~(2+)-Mediated Oxidation Of Guanine Prompted By Dhp, Bao-Lian Zhang, Wei Hong, Bao-Yi Lu, Hong Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effects of dihexadecyl phosphate(DHP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) on the oxidation of guanine mediated by[Ru(bpy)3]2+ on the ITO electrode have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry.The results showed that [Ru(bpy)3]2+ can mediate the oxidation.In the range from 0.01 to 0.15 mmol·L-1,peak currents for guanine oxidation mediated by [Ru(bpy)3]2+ increased with the rise of DHP concentrations.On the contrary,cationic surfactant HTAC has the ability to weaken the mediated oxidation of guanine.In addition,the oxidative mechanism of guanine mediated by [Ru(bpy)3]2+ with the participation of DHP is discussed.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Sulfur-Carbonnanotubes As Cathode Of Lithium/Sulfur Rechargeable Battery, Rui Du, Zhong-Zhi Yuan

Journal of Electrochemistry

A carbon-containing composite was synthesized by heating element sulfur and carbon nanotubes. The sulfur-carbonnanotube composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction,SEM,Brunauer-Emmett-Teller.The electrochemical property was characterized by cyclic voltammetry,constant current charge and discharge.It was revealed that the sulfur-carbonnanotube cathode 2016-type coin cells exhibited a good electrochemical property with the initial dicharge specific capacity up to 680 mAh/g and a stable capacity approximately 500 mAh/g after 30 cycle numbers.

Strain Energy And Lateral Friction Force Distributions Of Carbon Nanotubes Manipulated Into Shapes By Atomic Force Microscopy, Mark C. Strus, Roya R. Lahiji, Pablo Ares, Vincente Lopez, Arvind Raman, Ron R. Reifenberger

Other Nanotechnology Publications

The interplay between local mechanical strain energy and lateral frictional forces determines the shape of carbon nanotubes on substrates. In turn, because of its nanometer-size diameter, the shape of a carbon nanotube strongly influences its local electronic, chemical, and mechanical properties. Few, if any, methods exist for resolving the strain energy and static frictional forces along the length of a deformed nanotube supported on a substrate. We present a method using nonlinear elastic rod theory in which we compute the flexural strain energy and static frictional forces along the length of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) manipulated into various shapes …

Electrochemical Properties Of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes And Their Applications In Analysis Of 6-Mercaptopurine, Bao-Yi Lu, Yan-Yan Lai, Hong Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behaviors and adsorption properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes such as SWNT,SWNT-COOH,and SWNT-OH and multi-walled carbon nanotubes including MWNT,MWNT-COOH,and MWNT-OH modified at a graphite electrode have been investigated by using [Fe(CN)6]3-anion and [Co(phen)3]3+ cation.It was shown that shows good redox reversibility of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4-reactions on the existed carbon nanotubes(CNT) modified electrode.Based on the strong adsorptive property of [Co(phen)3]3+ on the CNT surface,the [Co(phen)3]3+/CNT modified graphite electrode can be obtained by progressive potential sweeping and developed to monitor quantitatively 6-mercaptopurine(6-MP).The adsorption capacity of [Co(phen)3]3+ on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes is higher than that of single-walled carbon nanotubes.For the carbon nanotubes with …

Direct Electrochemistry Of Chloroperoxidase At Gc Electrode Modified With Swnts, Hong-Xia Zhang, Xia-Qin Wu, Wen-Jing Hou, Wen Xie, Zhong-Qing Lu, Rong Wang, He-Xing Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The chloroperoxidase(CPO) was immobilized onto the surface of SWNTs modified electrodes.The electrochemical behaviors of modified electrode have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry.The appearance of a pair of well-defined redox peaks in the CV curve indicated that SWNTs can promote the electron transfer reaction of CPO.The results of cyclic voltammetry in PBS of different pH,from 3~9,showed that the reaction of CPO on the modified electrode was with equal numbers of electron and protein.This readily prepared SWNTs modified electrode showed excellent stability and good catalysis to O2.

Ec-Pt/Cnts Glucose Oxidative Electrode, Jia-Hua Liang, Chun-Mei Zhou, Hong-Juan Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

A glucose oxidative electrode(GOD),EC-Pt/CNTs glucose oxidative electrode,was constructed by ethyl cellulose(EC) and Pt/CNTs.The sensitivity of the EC-Pt/CNTs GOD is 0.85 μA/mM in the concentration range of 0～4 mmol/L of glucose.After dipped in PBS(4℃) for 18 days,the activity of the EC-Pt/CNTs GOD can reach 80%.It is promising for the EC-Pt/CNTs GOD to be used to construct glucose biosensor.