Effect of Surfactant Stabilizers on the Distribution of Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Media

The results of a study on the homogeneity of suspensions are described considering the effect of different types of surfactant stabilizers and their concentrations on the uniform distribution of a carbon nanotubes（CNTs）-based modifying additive to construction materials in an aqueous medium. This problem was solved herein by using surfactants and ultrasound. The sonication treatment of CNTs particle agglomerates allowed for dispersing their globules and achieving a 15-20-fold decrease in their average size, for which it became possible to make better use of the CNTs as cement modifier. As a result of the experimental studies carried out, the effect of the surfactant type and concentration promoting uniform distribution of the CNTs in the bulk of the suspension and, correspondingly, in the structural composite matrix was revealed. The CNTs-based additive improved the physical-mechanical and operational characteristics of the material.

Forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs based on MCST with temperature-variable material properties

In this study, free and forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by carbon nanotubes （CNTs） under magnetic field based on modify couple stress theory （MCST） with temperature-variable material propertiesis presented. Also, the boundary conditions at two ends of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs are considered as simply supported. The governing equations are obtained based on the Hamilton＇s principle and then computed these equations by using Navier＇s solution. The magnetic field is inserted in the thickness direction of the nano-composite microbeam. The effects of various parameters such as angular velocity, temperature changes, and pressure between of the inside and outside, the magnetic field, material length scale parameter, and volume fraction of nanocomposite microbeam on the natural frequency and response systemare studied. The results show that with increasing volume fraction of nano-composite microbeam, thickness, material length scale parameter, and magnetic fields, the natural frequency increases. The results of this research can be used for optimization of micro-structures and manufacturing sensors, displacement fluid, and drug delivery.

Flexible supercapacitors based on carbon nanotubes

Since carbon nanotubes（CNTs） possess unique one dimensional（1D） structure, considerable attention has been paid to constructing CNTs into macroscopic materials with different dimensions, including 1D fibers,2D films, and 3D foams. Such macroscopic CNT materials exhibit high conductivity, large surface area, as well as good mechanical properties, and thus can be directly used as the flexible supercapacitor（SC） electrodes or the scaffolds for supporting pseudo-capacitive electrode materials. Based on these macroscopic CNT electrodes, diverse SCs with different structures, including flexible, stretchable and/or compressible fiber and thin film SCs, have been designed. This review provides an overview of recent progress towards the development of flexible SCs based on macroscopic CNTs-based electrodes, with a focus on electrode preparation and configuration design as well as their integration with other multifunctional devices.Future development and prospects in the CNTs-based flexible SCs are also discussed.

LiMn_2O_4/CNTs and LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_4/CNTs Nanocomposites as High-Performance Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The demand of higher energy density and higher power capacity of lithium（Li）-ion secondary batteries has led to the search for electrode materials whose capacities and performance are better than those available today. Carbon nanotubes（CNTs）, with their unique properties such as 1D tubular structure, high electrical and thermal conductivities, and extremely large surface area, have been used as materials to prepare cathodes for Li-ion batteries. The structure and morphology of CNTs were analyzed by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）. The functional groups on the purified CNT surface such as –COOH, –OH were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrode materials were fabricated from LiMn2O4（LMO）, doped spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, and purified CNTs via solid-state reaction. The structure and morphology of the electrode were characterized using XRD, SEM, and TEM. Finally, the efficiency of the electrode materials using CNTs was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Improved performance of Li-Se battery based on a novel dual functional CNTs@graphene/CNTs cathode construction

A dual functional CNTs@graphene/CNTs cathode for Li–Se battery was constructed by a CNTs@graphene network and a CNTs interlayer. CNTs were first integrated with graphene to form a three-dimensional（3D） framework and work together as a conductive matrix for Se confinement. The optimized composite cathode delivers a high initial capacity of 575 mAh·g^-1 at 0.5 A·g^-1 and good rate capacity with a retained capacity of 479 mAh·g^-1 at 2.0 A·g^-1（73% of the capacity at 0.2 A·g^-1）. CNTs were further served as an interlayer to confine the diffusion of polyselenides by constructing a thin CNTs layer outside the CNTs@graphene network. An improved initial capacity of 616 mAh·g^-1 at 0.5 A·g^-1 is achieved with a retained capacity of 538 mAh·g^-1 after 80 cycles, indicating the effective dual function of CNTs in this novel cathode construction and great application potential for Li–Se battery.