DYNAMIC BUCKLING OF DOUBLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES UNDER STEP AXIAL LOAD

An approximate method is presented in this paper for studying the dynamic buckling of double-walled carbon nanotubes （DWNTs） under step axial load. The analysis is based on the continuum mechanics model, which takes into account the van der Waals interaction between the outer and inner nanotubes. A buckling condition is derived, from which the critical buckling load and associated buckling mode can be determined. As examples, numerical results are worked out for DWNTs under fixed boundary conditions. It is shown that, due to the effect of van der Waals forces, the critical buckling load of a DWNT is enhanced when inserting an inner tube into a single-walled one. The paper indicates that the critical buckling load of DWNTs for dynamic buckling is higher than that for static buckling. The effect of the radii is also examined. In addition, some of the results are compared with the previous ones.

GUIDED CIRCUMFERENTIAL WAVES IN DOUBLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

A model of guided circumferential waves propagating in double-walled carbon nanotubes is built by the theory of wave propagation in continuum mechanics, while the van der Waals force between the inner and outer nanotube has been taken into account in the model. The dispersion curves of the guided circumferential wave propagation are studied, and some dispersion characteristics are illustrated by comparing with those of single-walled carbon nanotubes. It is found that in double-walled carbon nanotubes, the guided circumferential waves will propagate in more dispersive ways. More interactions between neighboring wave modes may take place. In particular, it has been found that a couple of wave modes may disappear at a certain frequency and that, while a couple of wave modes disappear, another new couple of wave modes are excited at the same wave number.

A Continuum Shell Model Including van derWaals Interaction for Free Vibrations of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

This paper proposes the free vibration analysis of Double-Walled Carbon NanoTubes(DWCNTs).A continuum elastic three-dimensional shell model is used for natural frequency investigation of simply supported DWCNTs.The 3D shell method is compared with beam analyses to show the applicability limits of 1D beam models.The effect of van der Waals interaction between the two cylinders is shown for different Carbon NanoTube(CNT)lengths and vibration modes.Results give the van der Waals interaction effect in terms of frequency values.In order to apply the 3D shell continuum model,DWCNTs are defined as two concentric isotropic cylinders(with an equivalent thickness and Young modulus)which can be linked by means of the interlaminar continuity conditions or by means of an infinitesimal fictitious layer which represents the van der Waals interaction.

NONLINEAR DYNAMIC INSTABILITY OF DOUBLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES UNDER PERIODIC EXCITATION

A multiple-elastic beam model based on Euler-Bernoulli-beam theory is presented to investigate the nonlinear dynamic instability of double-walled nanotubes. Taking the geometric nonlinearity of structure deformation, the effects of van der Waals forces as well as the non- coaxial curvature of each nested tube into account, the nonlinear parametric vibration governing equations are derived. Numerical results indicate that the double-walled nanotube （DWNT） can be considered as a single column when the van der Waals forces are sufficiently strong. The stiffness of medium could substantially reduce the area of the nonlinear dynamic instability region, in particular, the geometric nonlinearity can be out of account when the stiffness is large enough. The area of the principal nonlinear instability region and its shifting distance aroused by the nonlinearity both decrease with the increment of the aspect ratio of the nanotubes.

Effect of Surfactants on the Thermoelectric Performance of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Thermoelectrics are a promising solution to the recovery of some of the 60%of the worldwide energy wasted as heat.However,their conversion efficiency is low and the best performing materials are brittle,toxic,and made of expensive ceramics.The challenge in developing better performing materials is in disrupting the electrical vs thermal conductivity correlation,to achieve low thermal conductivity simultaneously with a high electrical conductivity.Carbon nanotubes allow for the decoupling of the electronic density of states from the phonon density of states and this paper shows that flexible,thin films of double-walled carbon nanotube(DWCNT)can form effective n-and p-doped semiconductors that can achieve a combined Seebeck coefficient of 157.6µV K^(−1),the highest reported for a single DWCNT device to date.This is achieved through selected surfactant doping,whose role is correlated with the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the hydrophobic tail group of the surfactant’s molecules.CNTs functionalized with Triton X-405 show the highest output power consisting of a single junction of p-and n-type thermoelectric elements,reaching as high as 67 nW for a 45 K temperature gradient.Thus enabling flexible,cheaper,and more efficient thermoelectric generators through the use of functionalized CNTs.

Critical Length of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based Oscillators

The critical lengths of an oscillator based on double-walled carbon nanotubes(DWCNTs)are studied by energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulation.Van der Waals(vdW)potential energy in DWCNTs is shown to be changed periodically with the lattice matching of the inner and outer tubes by using atomistic models with energy minimization method.If the coincidence length between the inner and outer tubes is long enough,the restoring force cannot drive the DWCNT to slide over the vdW potential barrier to assure the DWCNT acts as an oscillator.The critical coincidence lengths of the oscillators are predicted by a very simple equation and then confirmed with energy minimization method for both the zigzag/zigzag system and the armchair/armchair system.The critical length of the armchair/armchair system is much larger than that of the zigzag/zigzag system.The vdW potential energy fluctuation of the armchair/armchair system is weaker than that of the zigzag/zigzag system.So it is easier to slide over the barrier for the armchair/armchair system.The critical lengths of zigzag/zigzag DWCNTbased oscillator are found increasing along with temperature,by molecular dynamics simulations.

Pullout Behavior of Large-diameter Collapsed Double-walled Carbon Nanotubes

The pullout behavior of large-diameter collapsed double-walled carbon nanotubes（DWCNT） was studied by molecular dynamics simulations and compared with those in the circular cross-sectioned state. The pullout force-displacement curves of both are in good agreement with the same mean value of the pullout force during the steady pullout stage. The pullout force was mainly due to the formation of new surfaces; the friction between nested walls was negligible. The effects of different chiral combinations and inter-wall spacings on the pullout behavior for both section situations were investigated. The commensurate（zigzag/zigzag or armchair/armchair） bi-tube systems have a larger fluctuation in the pullout force. The smaller interspacing implies lower mean pullout force with stronger fluctuations.

Ultra-Thin Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes： A Novel Nanocontainer for Preparing Atomic Wires

Double-walled carbon nanotubes （DWCNTs） with high graphitization have been synthesized by hydrogen arc discharge. The obtained DWCNTs have a narrow distribution of diameters of both the inner and outer tubes, and more than half of the DWCNTs have inner diameters in the range 0.6-1.0 nm. Field electron emission from a DWCNT cathode to an anode has been measured, and the emission current density of DWCNTs reached 1 A/cm2 at an applied field of about 4.3 V/~tm. After high-temperature treatment of DWCNTs, long linear carbon chains （C-chains） can be grown inside the ultra-thin DWCNTs to form a novel C-chain@DWCNT nanostructure, showing that these ultra-thin DWCNTs are an appropriate nanocontainer for preparing truly one-dimensional nanostructures with one-atom-diameter.

PEGylation of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Increasing Their Solubility in Water

Polyethylene glycol(PEG)functionalized double-walled carbon nanotubes(DWNTs)have been synthesized by a[2+1]cycloaddition reaction and characterized by transmission electron microscopy,atomic force microscopy,Raman spectroscopy,thermal gravimetric analysis,and UV-visible spectroscopy.Functionalization affords a large increase in the aqueous solubility of DWNTs.The saturated concentrations of DWNTs functionalized with diazido-terminated PEG800(with a molecular weight of 800)and azido-terminated PEG750 monomethylether(with a molecular weight of 750)are very similar-0.36 and 0.37 mg/mL(DWNTs equivalent concentration),respectively.

Preparation of WO_(3) nanorods with high specific surface area using double-walled carbon nanotubes as template

The preparation of WO_(3) nanorods by double-walled carbon nanotube(DWCNT)template was investi-gated in this study.Owing to that the prepared H_(2)WO_(4)can be isolated by the homogenously dispersed DWCNT bun-dles and secondary accumulation can be avoided effec-tively,the growth of H_(2)WO_(4) can be restrained,and H_(2)WO_(4) nanorods with diameter of 10–50 nm can be prepared.After calcination of the prepared DWCNT/H_(2)WO_(4) com-posite in oxygen,WO_(3) nanorods with diameter of 10–100 nm and high specific surface area of 16.4 m^(2)·g^(-1) can be obtained.It is concluded that the DWCNTs play an im-portant role in the effective mediation of the morphology and size of nano-WO_(3).

Preparation of homogeneously dispersed and highly concentrated double-walled carbon nanotubes as catalyst support

In this study, double-walled carbon nanotubes （DWCNTs） in ethylene glycol （EG） and N,N-dimethyl- formamide （DMF） media were investigated by a simple ultrasonication method. Homogeneously dispersed and highly concentrated DWCNTs are in EG （95 vol%） and DMF （5 vol%） media without the addition of surfactant. Surface structure and crystallinity of DWCNTs undergo minimal change. The highly concentrated dispersion state of DWCNTs helps in Pt loading. Pt particles prepared in the homogenous dispersion system have small sizes and are uniformly distributed. The prepared Pt catalysts display a similar electrochemical activity to catalysts pre- pared in EG system with low concentration. The results demonstrate that homogenously dispersed and highly concentrated DWCNTs can realize mass production of Pt/ DWCNT catalysts with high electrochemical activity and low cost.

Preparation of titanium dioxide-double-walled carbon nanotubes and its application in flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

Titanium dioxide-double-walled carbon nano- tubes （TiO2-DWCNTs） with DWCNTs/TiO2 of 20 wt.% is prepared by a conventional sol-gel method. Doping the TiO2-DWCNTs in TiO2 photoanode, a flexible dye- sensitized solar cell （DSSC） is fabricated. The sample is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） absorption, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy （UV- vis） absorption spectra , electrochemical impedance spec- troscopy （EIS） technique and photovoltaic measurement. It is found that adding a certain amount of TiO2-DWCNTs can efficiently decrease the resistance of charge transport, improve dye adsorption. Under an optimal condition, a flexible DSSC contained with 0.50 wt.% TiOz-DWCNTs achieves a light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 3.89% under a simulate solar light irradiation of 100 mW. cm^2.

Combined torsional buckling of double-walled carbon nanotubes with axial load in the multi-field coupled condition

The present study has theoretically investigated the combined torsional buckling of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) with axial load in the multi-field coupled condition. The effects of torsion, axial load, thermal-electrical change, surrounding elastic medium and the Van der Waals forces are all taken into consideration. The governing equation of buckling for CNTs subjected to thermo-electro-mechanical loadings has been established based on an elastic shell model of continuum mechanics. Reasonable simplifications are made to get the explicit expression of the critical buckling shear stress of DWCNTs, and numerical experiments are conducted for further research. It is shown that under certain electric and temperature field the critical buckling shear stress of DWCNTs only depends on the wave number of buckling modes. On the other hand, all the related impact factors have enormous influence on the critical buckling shear stress under a certain buckling mode. The critical buckling shear stress changes linearly with the axial-to-shear stress ratio, as well as the thermal and electric change. Axial compression tends to make DWCNTs unstable, while axial tension benefits the buckling stability. The critical buckling shear stress is directly proportional to the applied voltage. At room or lower temperature, the critical shear stress for infinitesimal buckling increases as the temperature change increases, while it decreases at a higher temperature. The conclusions are useful for the design of nano-structures related to the buckling stability of DWCNTs.

Preparation of double-walled carbon nanotubes

Double-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared using the floating chemical vapor deposition with methane as carbon source and adding small amount of sulfur into the ferrocene catalyst. The optimized technological parameters are: the reaction temperature is 1200℃; the catalyst vapor temperature is 80℃; the flow rate of argon is 2000 SCCM; the flow rate of methane is 5 SCCM. The purified DWNTs under these optimized technological parameters have high purity above 90 wt%.

Effect of Longitudinal Magnetic Field on Vibration Response of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in Viscoelastic Medium

This paper aims to study the effect of externally applied longitudinal magnetic field on the transverse vibration of viscoelastic double-walled carbon nanotubes （visco-DWCNTs） embedded in a viscoelastic medium. The analyses are carried out based on the nonlocal viscoelastic model and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Governing equations are derived for the vibration of the embedded visco-DWCNT subjected to a magnetic field, where the Lorentz magnetic force, the surrounding viscoelastic medium, the intertube van der Waals forces and viscoelasticity of the DWCNT are taken into consideration. In this study, the transfer function method is employed to solve the governing equations, which enables one to obtain the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes in closed form for the DWCNTs with arbitrary boundary conditions. Here the developed mechanics model is first compared with the existing techniques available in the literature in a few particular cases, where excellent agreement is achieved. The validation of the model is followed by a detailed parametric study of the effects of longitudinal magnetic field, nonlocal parameter, boundary conditions, structural damping coefficient and aspect ratio of the DWCNTs on their vibration. The study demonstrates the efficiency of the present technique designed for vibration analysis of a complicated multi-physics system comprising DWCNTs, the viscoelastic medium and a magnetic field in longitudinal direction.

Enhancing the Interaction of Carbon Nanotubes by Metal-Organic Decomposition with Improved Mechanical Strength and Ultra-Broadband EMI Shielding Performance

The remarkable properties of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have led to promising applications in the field of electromagnetic inter-ference(EMI)shielding.However,for macroscopic CNT assemblies,such as CNT film,achieving high electrical and mechanical properties remains challenging,which heavily depends on the tube-tube interac-tions of CNTs.Herein,we develop a novel strategy based on metal-organic decomposition(MOD)to fabricate a flexible silver-carbon nanotube(Ag-CNT)film.The Ag particles are introduced in situ into the CNT film through annealing of MOD,leading to enhanced tube-tube interactions.As a result,the electrical conductivity of Ag-CNT film is up to 6.82×10^(5) S m^(-1),and the EMI shielding effectiveness of Ag-CNT film with a thickness of~7.8μm exceeds 66 dB in the ultra-broad frequency range(3-40 GHz).The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of Ag-CNT film increase from 30.09±3.14 to 76.06±6.20 MPa(~253%)and from 1.12±0.33 to 8.90±0.97 GPa(~795%),respectively.Moreover,the Ag-CNT film exhibits excellent near-field shield-ing performance,which can effectively block wireless transmission.This innovative approach provides an effective route to further apply macroscopic CNT assemblies to future portable and wearable electronic devices.

In situ formation of multiple catalysts for enhancing the hydrogen storage of MgH_(2) by adding porous Ni_(3)ZnC_(0.7)/Ni loaded carbon nanotubes microspheres

MgH_(2) is considered one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials because of its safety,high efficiency,high hydrogen storage quantity and low cost characteristics.But some shortcomings are still existed:high operating temperature and poor hydrogen absorption dynamics,which limit its application.Porous Ni_(3)ZnC_(0.7)/Ni loaded carbon nanotubes microspheres(NZC/Ni@CNT)is prepared by facile filtration and calcination method.Then the different amount of NZC/Ni@CNT(2.5,5.0 and 7.5 wt%)is added to the MgH_(2) by ball milling.Among the three samples with different amount of NZC/Ni@CNT(2.5,5.0 and 7.5 wt%),the MgH_(2)-5 wt%NZC/Ni@CNT composite exhibits the best hydrogen storage performances.After testing,the MgH_(2)-5 wt%NZC/Ni@CNT begins to release hydrogen at around 110℃ and hydrogen absorption capacity reaches 2.34 wt%H_(2) at 80℃ within 60 min.Moreover,the composite can release about 5.36 wt%H_(2) at 300℃.In addition,hydrogen absorption and desorption activation energies of the MgH_(2)-5 wt%NZC/Ni@CNT composite are reduced to 37.28 and 84.22 KJ/mol H_(2),respectively.The in situ generated Mg_(2)NiH_(4)/Mg_(2)Ni can serve as a"hydrogen pump"that plays the main role in providing more activation sites and hydrogen diffusion channels which promotes H_(2) dissociation during hydrogen absorption process.In addition,the evenly dispersed Zn and MgZn2 in Mg and MgH_(2) could provide sites for Mg/MgH_(2) nucleation and hydrogen diffusion channel.This attempt clearly proved that the bimetallic carbide Ni_(3)ZnC_(0.7) is a effective additive for the hydrogen storage performances modification of MgH_(2),and the facile synthesis of the Ni_(3)ZnC_(0.7)/Ni@CNT can provide directions of better designing high performance carbide catalysts for improving MgH_(2).

Heat transfer enhanced inorganic phase change material compositing carbon nanotubes for battery thermal management and thermal runaway propagation mitigation

Developing technologies that can be applied simultaneously in battery thermal management(BTM)and thermal runaway(TR)mitigation is significant to improving the safety of lithium-ion battery systems.Inorganic phase change material(PCM)with nonflammability has the potential to achieve this dual function.This study proposed an encapsulated inorganic phase change material(EPCM)with a heat transfer enhancement for battery systems,where Na_(2)HPO_(4)·12H_(2)O was used as the core PCM encapsulated by silica and the additive of carbon nanotube(CNT)was applied to enhance the thermal conductivity.The microstructure and thermal properties of the EPCM/CNT were analyzed by a series of characterization tests.Two different incorporating methods of CNT were compared and the proper CNT adding amount was also studied.After preparation,the battery thermal management performance and TR propagation mitigation effects of EPCM/CNT were further investigated on the battery modules.The experimental results of thermal management tests showed that EPCM/CNT not only slowed down the temperature rising of the module but also improved the temperature uniformity during normal operation.The peak battery temperature decreased from 76℃to 61.2℃at 2 C discharge rate and the temperature difference was controlled below 3℃.Moreover,the results of TR propagation tests demonstrated that nonflammable EPCM/CNT with good heat absorption could work as a TR barrier,which exhibited effective mitigation on TR and TR propagation.The trigger time of three cells was successfully delayed by 129,474 and 551 s,respectively and the propagation intervals were greatly extended as well.

A review of carbon nanotubes in modern electrochemical energy storage

The quest for sustainable energy storage solutions is more critical than ever,with the rise in global energy demand and the urgency of transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources.Carbon nanotubes(CNTs),with their exceptional electrical conduct-ivity and structural integrity,are at the forefront of this endeavor,offering promising ways for the advance of electrochemical energy storage(EES)devices.This review provides an analysis of the synthesis,properties,and applications of CNTs in the context of EES.We explore the evolution of CNT synthesis methods,including arc discharge,laser ablation,and chemical vapor deposition,and highlight the recent developments in metal-organic framework-derived CNTs and a novel CNT aggregate with a three-dimensional ordered macroporous structure.We also examine the role of CNTs in improving the performance of various EES devices such as lith-ium-ion,lithium-metal,lithium-sulfur,sodium,and flexible batteries as well as supercapacitors.We underscore the challenges that remain,including the scalability of CNT synthesis and the integration of CNTs in electrode materials,and propose potential solu-tions and future research directions.The review presents a forward-looking perspective on the pivotal role of CNTs in shaping the fu-ture of sustainable EES technologies.

Covalent organic frameworks/carbon nanotubes composite with cobalt(II)pyrimidine sites for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis

With characteristics and advantages of functional composite materials,they are commendably adopted in numerous fields especially in oxygen electrocatalysis,which is due to the significant synergies between various components.Herein,a novel bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst(Co-CNT@COF-Pyr)has been synthesized through in-situ growth of covalent organic frameworks(COFs)layers on the outer surface of highly conductive carbon nanotubes(CNTs)followed by coordination with Co(Ⅱ).For electrocatalytic OER,Co-CNT@COF-Pyr reveals a low overpotential(438 mV)in alkaline electrolyte(1.0 M aqueous solution of KOH)with a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2),which is comparable to most discovered COF-based catalysts.For electrocatalytic ORR,CoCNT@COF-Pyr exhibits a low H_(2)O_(2) yield range(9.0%-10.1%)and a reaction pathway close to 4e^(-)(n=3.82-3.80)in alkaline electrolyte(0.1 M aqueous solution of KOH)within the test potential range of 0.1-0.6 V vs.RHE,which is superior to most reported COF-based catalysts.Hence,this research could not only offer an innovative insight into the construction of composites,but also facilitate the practical application of renewable fuel cells,closed water cycle,and rechargeable metal-air batteries.