CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

CARBON NANOTUBE
A Seminar Report

Submitted by

MUHAMMAD ASKAR
in partial fulfillment for the award of the
degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
of
A P J ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
At

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING ADOOR

OCTOBER 2018

Department of Mechanical Engineering 0 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

ABSTRACT
A carbon nanotube is an allotrope of carbon that is shaped like a tube of carbon
atoms. Carbon nanotubes are very tough and hard to break, but still relatively light.
Because of their high strength, carbon nanotubes may one day be used for bulletproof
armor and other uses needing hard, lightweight materials. Some carbon nanotubes also
let electricity through them. Certain nanotubes may be up to 1,000 times better at
conducting electricity than metals like copper and silver.
Multiwall carbon nanotubes have been dispersed homogeneously throughout
polystyrene matrices by a simple solution-evaporation method without destroying the
integrity of the nanotubes. Tensile tests on composite films show that 1 wt % nanotube
additions result in 36%–42% and ∼25% increases in elastic modulus and break stress,
respectively, indicating significant load transfer across the nanotube-matrix interface.
In situ transmission electron microscopy studies provided information regarding
composite deformation mechanisms and interfacial bonding between the multiwall
nanotubes and polymer matrix.[1]

Department of Mechanical Engineering 1 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

CONTENTS
List of Abbreviations ii
List of Symbols iii
List of Figures iv
List of Tables v

1. Introduction 3
1.1. Introduction 3
2. History 4

3. Types Of Carbon Nanotube 5

3.1. Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (Swnt’s) 5
3.2. Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube 6
3.3. Junctions And Crosslinking 6
3.4. Extreme Carbon Nanotubes 6
4. Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes 7
4.1. Mechanical Properties 7
4.1.1. Hardness 7
4.2. Kinetic Properties 7
4.3. Chemical Properties 7
5. Synthesis 8
5.1. Arc Method 8
5.2. Laser Ablation Methods 9
5.3. Plasma Torch 10
5.4. Chemical Vapor Deposition (Cvd) 11
6. Applications Of Carbon Nanotube 12
6.1. Space Elevator 12
6.1.1. Physics 13
6.1.1.1. Apparent Gravitational Field 13
6.1.1.2. Cable Material 13
6.2. Body Armor 14
6.2.1. Potential Of Carbon Nanotubes For Ballistic Armor 14
6.3. Artificial Muscle 16
6.3.1. Function 17
6.3.2. Benefit Summery 17
6.3.3. Risk Summery 17
7. Safety And Health 17
7.1. Health Concerns 17
7.2. Safety 18
8. Environmental Concerns 19
9. Conclusion 20

Department of Mechanical Engineering 2 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

1. INDRODUCTION
Carbon nanotubes are remarkable objects that look set to revolutionize the
technological landscape in the near future. Tomorrow’s society will be shaped by
nanotube applications, just as silicon-based technologies dominate society today.
Space elevators tethered by the strongest of cables; hydrogen-powered vehicles;
artificial muscles: these are just a few of the technological marvels that may be made
possible by the emerging science of carbon nanotubes.[2]
The anticipation surrounding these molecules, first reported in 1985, resulted
in the bestowment of a Nobel Prize for their discovery in 1996. However, a decade
later, few applications of fullerenes have reached the market, suggesting that similarly
enthusiastic predictions about nanotubes should be approached with caution.[2]

Fig .1

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

2. HISTORY
It would be in 1993 that Iijima and Donald Bethune found single walled nanotubes
known as buckytubes. This helped the scientific community make more sense out of
not only the potential for nanotube research, but the use and existence of fullerenes.
With this information, the complete discovery of carbon nanotubes was realized and
Iijima and Bethune were ultimately credited with their discovery in their entirety.
Russian nanotechnologists were independently discovering the same visual
affirmation. They were just a little bit later in their announcement and the potential
affect of this discovery.[3]
The continuation of research revealed a great deal about nanotubes and their place in
scientific discovery. The research has indicated that there are three basic types of
nanotubes (zigzag, armchair, and chiral) as well as single walled and multiwalled
nanotubes.
There are buckytubes, which are completely hollow molecules that are crafted from
pure carbon and are bonded together in a pattern of specific hexagon patterns. The
multiwalled nanotubes are likely to suffer from defects. These defects happen in more
than half of all multiwalled nanotubes.[3]
The multiwalled nanotubes have already made appearances in practical applications
like creating tennis rackets that are stronger than steel but are ultra light in weight.
These nanotubes are also responsible for creating sunscreen and other skin care
products that are clear or able to be blended into the skin without leaving behind
residue as well as the creation of UV protective clothing.
As nanotechnologists continue to research nanotubes, there is still a race to discover
something new within the science. Scientists are researching the potential for life
saving techniques as well as the potential to create nanotubes that can be tailored
toward specific designated jobs.
With the creation of specified nanotubes, the potential for their use will become
unlimited and there will be a nanotechnology world hard at work crafting all kinds of
products from the convenient to the life saving.
While Roger Bacon might not have been completely aware of the impact his
discovery had on the scientific world, he is technically the first scientist to discover
these hollow tubes of carbon that are changing lives on a daily basis. Since the initial
rediscovery of the nanotubes in 1991, who discovered carbon nanotubes is no longer
as important as who can come up with the most practical applications.[3]

fig.2

Department of Mechanical Engineering 4 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

3. TYPES OF CARBON NANOTUBE

Carbon nanotubes are basically sheets of graphite rolled up into a tube as shown in
this figure. Hence, the hexagonal two dimensional lattice of graphite is mapped on a
one-dimensional cylinder of radius R with various helicities characterized by the
rolling vectors (n,m).

3.1 SINGLE WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE (SWNT’S)

Geometrically, there is no restriction on the tube diameter. However, calculations have
shown that collapsing the single-wall tube into a flattened two-layer ribbon is
energetically more favorable than maintaining the tubular morphology beyond a
diameter value of ≈2.5nm[3.1].

The (n,m) nanotube naming scheme can be thought of as a

vector (Ch) in an infinite graphene sheet that describes how
to "roll up" the graphene sheet to make the nanotube. T
denotes the tube axis, and a1 and a2 are the unit vectors of
graphene in real space.

Fig.3

where a = 0.246 nm.

Fig.4

Department of Mechanical Engineering 5 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

3.2 MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBE

Multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) consist of multiple rolled layers (concentric tubes)
of graphene. There are two models that can be used to describe the structures of multi-
walled nanotubes. In the Russian Doll model, sheets of graphite are arranged in
concentric cylinders, e.g., a (0,8) single-walled nanotube (SWNT) within a larger
(0,17) single-walled nanotube. In the Parchment model, a single sheet of graphite is
rolled in around itself, resembling a scroll of parchment or a rolled newspaper. The
interlayer distance in multi-walled nanotubes is close to the distance between
graphene layers in graphite, approximately 3.4 Å. The Russian Doll structure is
observed more commonly. Its individual shells can be described as SWNTs, which
can be metallic or semiconducting. Because of statistical probability and restrictions
on the relative diameters of the individual tubes, one of the shells, and thus the whole
MWNT, is usually a zero-gap metal.[4]

3.3 JUNCTIONS AND CROSSLINKING

Junctions between 2 or more nanotubes have been widely discussed theoretically.[5]
Such junctions are quite frequently observed in samples prepared by arc discharge as
well as by chemical vapor deposition. The electronic properties of such junctions were
first considered theoretically by Lambin et al.,[6] who pointed out that a connection
between metallic tube and a semiconducting one would represent a nanoscale
heterojunction. Such a junction could therefore form a component of a nanotube-based
electronic circuit. The adjacent image shows a junction between two multiwalled
nanotubes. Junctions between nanotubes and graphene have been considered
theoretically, but not widely studied experimentally. Such junctions form the basis of
pillared graphene, in which parallel graphene sheets are separated by short nanotubes.

3.4 EXTREME CARBON NANOTUBES

The observation of the longest carbon nanotubes grown so far are over 1/2 m (550 mm
long) was reported in 2013. These nanotubes were grown on silicon substrates using
an improved chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and represent electrically
uniform arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes.
The shortest carbon nanotube is the organic compound cycloparaphenylene, which
was synthesized in 2008.[7]
The thinnest carbon nanotube is the armchair (2,2) CNT with a diameter of 0.3 nm.
This nanotube was grown inside a multi-walled carbon nanotube. Assigning of carbon
nanotube type was done by a combination of high-resolution transmission electron
microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT)
calculations.
The thinnest freestanding single-walled carbon nanotube is about 0.43 nm in diameter.
Researchers suggested that it can be either (5,1) or (4,2) SWCNT, but the exact type
of carbon nanotube remains questionable. (3,3), (4,3) and (5,1) carbon nanotubes (all

Department of Mechanical Engineering 6 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

about 0.4 nm in diameter) were unambiguously identified using aberration-corrected

high-resolution transmission electron microscopy inside double-walled CNTs.

4. PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBES

4.1 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes reveal them as one of the strongest
materials in nature. Carbon nanotubes (cnt’s) are long hollow cylinders of graphene.
Although graphene sheets have 2D symmetry, carbon nanotubes by geometry have
different properties in axial and radial directions. It has been shown that cnt’s are very
strong in the axial direction. Young's modulus on the order of 270 -
950 gpa and tensile strength of 11 - 63 gpa were obtained.
4.1.1 Hardness
Standard single-walled carbon nanotubes can withstand a pressure up to 25 gpa
without [plastic/permanent] deformation. They then undergo a transformation to super
hard phase nanotubes.[8] Maximum pressures measured using current experimental
techniques are around 55 gpa. However, these new super hard phase nanotubes
collapse at an even higher, albeit unknown, pressure.
The bulk modulus of super hard phase nanotubes is 462 to 546 gpa, even higher than
that of diamond (420 gpa for single diamond crystal).

4.2 KINETIC PROPERTIES

Multi-walled nanotubes are multiple concentric nanotubes precisely nested within one
another.
These exhibit a striking telescoping property whereby an inner nanotube core may
slide, almost without friction, within its outer nanotube shell, thus creating an
atomically perfect linear or rotational bearing.
4.3 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
The surface wettability of CNT is of importance for its applications in various
settings. Although the intrinsic contact angle of graphite is around 90°, the contact
angles of most as-synthesized CNT arrays are over 160°, exhibiting a super
hydrophobic property.
By applying a voltage as low as 1.3V, the extreme water repellant surface can be
switched to a super hydrophilic one.

Department of Mechanical Engineering 7 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

5. SYNTHESIS

5.1 ARC METHOD

Nanotubes were observed in 1991 in the carbon soot of graphite electrodes during an
arc discharge, by using a current of 100 amps, that was intended to produce
fullerenes.[9] However the first macroscopic production of carbon nanotubes was made
in 1992 by two researchers at NEC's Fundamental Research Laboratory.[10] The
method used was the same as in 1991. During this process, the carbon contained in the
negative electrode sublimates because of the high-discharge temperatures.
The yield for this method is up to 30% by weight and it produces both single- and
multi-walled nanotubes with lengths of up to 50 micrometers with few structural
defects. Arc-discharge technique uses higher temperatures (above 1,700 °C) for CNT
synthesis which typically causes the expansion of CNTs with fewer structural defects
in comparison with other methods.

Fig.5

Fig.6

Department of Mechanical Engineering 8 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

5.2 LASER ABLATION METHODS

In laser ablation, a pulsed laser vaporizes a graphite target in a high-temperature
reactor while an inert gas is bled into the chamber. Nanotubes develop on the cooler
surfaces of the reactor as the vaporized carbon condenses. A water-cooled surface
may be included in the system to collect the nanotubes.
This process was developed by Dr. Richard Smalley and co-workers at Rice
University, who at the time of the discovery of carbon nanotubes, were blasting metals
with a laser to produce various metal molecules. When they heard of the existence of
nanotubes they replaced the metals with graphite to create multi-walled carbon
nanotubes. Later that year the team used a composite of graphite and metal catalyst
particles (the best yield was from a cobalt and nickel mixture) to synthesize single-
walled carbon nanotubes.
The laser ablation method yields around 70% and produces primarily single-walled
carbon nanotubes with a controllable diameter determined by the reaction
temperature. However, it is more expensive than either arc discharge or chemical
vapor deposition.[11]
The effective equation for few cycle optical pulse dynamics was obtained by virtue of
the Boltzmann collision-less equation solution for conduction band electrons of
semiconductor carbon nanotubes in the case when medium with carbon nanotubes has
spatially-modulated refractive index.

fig
Fig.7

Department of Mechanical Engineering 9 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

5.3 PLASMA TORCH

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can also be synthesized by a thermal plasma method,
first invented in 2000 at INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifie) in
Varennes, Canada, by Olivier Smiljanic. In this method, the aim is to reproduce the
conditions prevailing in the arc discharge and laser ablation approaches, but a carbon-
containing gas is used instead of graphite vapors to supply the necessary carbon.
Doing so, the growth of SWNT is more efficient (decomposing the gas can be 10
times less energy-consuming than graphite vaporization). The process is also
continuous and low cost. A gaseous mixture of argon, ethylene and ferrocene is
introduced into a microwave plasma torch, where it is atomized by the atmospheric
pressure plasma, which has the form of an intense 'flame'. The fumes created by the
flame contain SWNT, metallic and carbon nanoparticles and amorphous carbon.
Another way to produce single-walled carbon nanotubes with a plasma torch is to use
the induction thermal plasma method, implemented in 2005 by groups from the
University of Sherbrook and the National Research Council of Canada. The method is
similar to arc discharge in that both use ionized gas to reach the high temperature
necessary to vaporize carbon-containing substances and the metal catalysts necessary
for the ensuing nanotube growth. The thermal plasma is induced by high-frequency
oscillating currents in a coil, and is maintained in flowing inert gas. Typically, a
feedstock of carbon black and metal catalyst particles is fed into the plasma, and then
cooled down to form single-walled carbon nanotubes. Different single-wall carbon
nanotube diameter distributions can be synthesized.
The induction thermal plasma method can produce up to 2 grams of nanotube material
per minute, which is higher than the arc discharge or the laser ablation methods.

Fig.8

Department of Mechanical Engineering 10 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

5.4 CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (CVD)

During CVD, a substrate is prepared with a layer of metal catalyst particles, most
commonly nickel, cobalt, iron, or a combination.The metal nanoparticles can also be
produced by other ways, including reduction of oxides or oxides solid solutions. The
diameters of the nanotubes that are to be grown are related to the size of the metal
particles. This can be controlled by patterned (or masked) deposition of the metal,
annealing, or by plasma etching of a metal layer. The substrate is heated to
approximately 700 °C. To initiate the growth of nanotubes, two gases are bled into the
reactor: a process gas (such as ammonia, nitrogen or hydrogen) and a carbon-
containing gas (such as acetylene, ethylene, ethanol or methane). Nanotubes grow at
the sites of the metal catalyst; the carbon-containing gas is broken apart at the surface
of the catalyst particle, and the carbon is transported to the edges of the particle, where
it forms the nanotubes. This mechanism is still being studied. If a plasma is generated
by the application of a strong electric field during growth (plasma-enhanced chemical
vapor deposition), then the nanotube growth will follow the direction of the electric
field.[24] By adjusting the geometry of the reactor it is possible to synthesize vertically
aligned carbon nanotubes(i.e., perpendicular to the substrate), a morphology that has
been of interest to researchers interested in electron emission from nanotubes. Without
the plasma, the resulting nanotubes are often randomly oriented. Under certain
reaction conditions, even in the absence of a plasma, closely spaced nanotubes will
maintain a vertical growth direction resulting in a dense array of tubes resembling a
carpet or forest.

Fig.
9

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

6. APPLICATIONS OF CARBON NANOTUBE

6.1 SPACE ELEVATOR

A space elevator is a proposed type of space transportation system. The main
component would be a cable (also called a tether) anchored to the surface and
extending into space. The design would permit vehicles to travel along the cable from
a planetary surface, such as the Earth's, directly into space or orbit, without the use of
large rockets.

To construct a space elevator on Earth the cable

material would need to be both stronger and
lighter (have greater specific strength) than any
known material. Development of new materials
that meet the demanding specific strength
requirement must happen before designs can
progress beyond discussion stage. Carbon
nanotubes (cnts) have been identified as possibly
being able to meet the specific strength
requirements for an Earth space elevator.[2][4]
Other materials considered have been boron
nitride nanotubes, and diamond Nano threads,
which were first constructed in 2014.[12]

Fig.10

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

6.1.1 Physics
6.1.1.1 Apparent Gravitational Field
A space elevator cable rotates along with the rotation of the Earth. Therefore, objects
attached to the cable would experience upward centrifugal force in the direction
opposing the downward gravitational force. The higher up the cable the object is
located, the less the gravitational pull of the Earth, and the stronger the upward
centrifugal force due to the rotation, so that more centrifugal force opposes less
gravity. The centrifugal force and the gravity are balanced at geosynchronous
equatorial orbit (GEO). Above GEO, the centrifugal force is stronger than gravity,
causing objects attached to the cable there to pull upward on it.
The net force for objects attached to the cable is called the apparent gravitational
field. The apparent gravitational field for attached objects is the (downward) gravity
minus the (upward) centrifugal force. The apparent gravity experienced by an object
on the cable is zero at GEO, downward below GEO, and upward above GEO. [13]

The downward force of actual gravity decreases with height:

The upward centrifugal force due to the planet's rotation increases with height:
Together, the apparent gravitational field is the sum of the two:

G is the acceleration of apparent gravity, pointing down (negative) or up (positive)

along the vertical cable (m s−2),
Gr is the gravitational acceleration due to earth's pull, pointing down (negative)(m
s−2),
A is the centrifugal acceleration, pointing up (positive) along the vertical cable (m
s−2),
G is the gravitational constant (m3 s−2 kg−1)
M is the mass of the earth (kg)
R is the distance from that point to earth's center (m),
Ω is earth's rotation speed (radian/s).

6.1.1.2 Cable Material

To compare materials, the specific strength of the material for the space elevator can
be expressed in terms of the characteristic length, or "free breaking length": the length
of an un-tapered cylindrical cable at which it will break under its own weight under
constant gravity. For a given material, that length is where σ , , and
are as defined above.
The free breaking length needed is given by the equation

Department of Mechanical Engineering 13 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

For a space elevator with a material with the section at the

synchronous orbit needs to be times as much as at ground level.
For a space elevator with a material with the section at the
synchronous orbit needs to be times as much as at ground level.

6.2.BODY ARMOR

6.2.1 POTENTIAL OF CARBON NANOTUBES FOR BALLISTIC ARMOR

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is an ideal candidate material for bulletproof vests due to its
unique combination of exceptionally high elastic modulus and high yield strain. A
Young's modulus of about 1000 GPa, strength ranging between 13-53 GPa, and strain
at tensile failure predicted to be as high as ∼16% typically characterize SWCNTs14.
Assuming that the specific gravity of SWCNT is about 1.4 g/cm3, one can estimate
the ballistic performance parameter to range between 2708 m/s and 4326 m/s. These
values are in agreement with the previously reported value of 3000 m/s by Alan
Windle for the ballistic performance parameter of carbon nanotubes. If one compares
these values with those for other fibers suitable for ballistic applications, the enormous
potential of CNTs as a candidate material for bullet-proof armor system is quite
evident.

Graph.1

Fig.11

Department of Mechanical Engineering 14 College of Engineering, Adoor

CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

Carbon nanotubes possess very high hardness. In fact, super hard materials
synthesized by compressing swcnts at 24 gpa exhibit hardness of up to 152 gpa, which
is even greater than that of a diamond sample. Therefore, incorporation of cnts as one
of the components in a polymer matrix composite armor tile is likely to deform/erode/
fracture the projectile when it is attacked, because of its extreme hardness.

Carbon nanotubes are being considered as a reinforcing material to enhance

the mechanical properties of ceramics, particularly by fracture toughness, which is
likely to improve their resistance against multiple hits by bullets. Recent studies have
shown that incorporation of cnts in ceramics like alumina and silicon carbide can have
a strong influence on the microstructure, fracture mode and mechanical properties. A
significant improvement of up to 94% in fracture toughness was observed when 4 vol.
% of cnts are added to alumina.

Researchers from military university of technology, Poland have conducted

numerical modeling investigations to determine the ballistic performance of cnt fiber
reinforced 7017 aluminum alloy. Their numerical model analyzed the impact of a
sharp nosed projectile on the metal matrix composite plate by performing computer
simulations employing finite element methods and clearly showed that the cnt fiber
reinforcement plays an important role in determining the overall ballistic resistance of
the composite plate. [14]

Fig.12

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

6.3. ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE

One-dimensional artificial muscles like natural muscles have been studied for robots
and artificial limbs to exoskeletons.
Particularly, an artificial muscle using carbon nanotube (CNT) is very light and has
excellent mechanical performance, and therefore CNT is researched as a promising
material for artificial muscle.

Fig.13

From printer drivers, to pacemakers, to robotic limbs on space crafts, actuating

materials are the key components in controlling movement in a machine. Actuators
convert various energy types such as electrical, chemical, hydraulic, or thermal energy
into mechanical energy, and can be made of a variety of materials. Even human
muscles can be considered actuators, as they convert energy from calories into motion.
Recently, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (mwcnts) in aerogels have been explored
as actuators, acting similarly to human muscles. These artificial muscles use electrical
stimulation captured by the conductive nanotubes to expand and contract the
electroactive polymer, which in turn generates mechanical energy [15].

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 CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

6.3.1 FUNCTION

 These carbon nanotube artificial muscles can elongate further and at faster rates than
natural muscles
 and they also have the ability to actuate at extreme low and high temperatures.

6.3.2 BENEFIT SUMMARY:

These carbon nanotube artificial muscles can elongate further and at faster rates than
natural muscles, and they also have the ability to actuate at extreme low and high
temperatures.

6.3.3 RISK SUMMARY

MWCNT aerogels require a high voltage for actuation, which makes them unsafe for
use in prosthetics and creates the same risks as any highly conductive material not
properly handled, including electrocution.

7.SAFTEY AND HEALTH

7.1 HEALTH CONCERNS
As artists and manufacturers explore the use of spray-on carbon nanotube coatings,
Andrew D. Maynard explores the state of the science around nanotube safety.
Nature Nanotechnology 11, 490-491, 2016. DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2016.99
From the article:

“[in 2015] Günter Oberdörster and co-authors published what is possibly the most
comprehensive review of carbon nanotube toxicology studies to date. Focusing on
inhalation of nanotubes, they document evidence of transient pulmonary
inflammation, and rapid and persistent development of granulomatous lesions and
interstitial fibrosis on exposure to single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubesin rodents.
They cite data indicating that inhaled long and thin multiwalled carbon nanotubes can
move to the lining surrounding the lungs and penetrate it, where they can potentially
cause mesothelioma. Furthermore, the authors indicate that carbon nanotubes can
act as a cancer promoter — with inhalation increasing the probability of developing
lung cancer from exposure to other carcinogens.”
As a side note, back in 2007 I questioned wisdom of assuming carbon
nanotubes were just as safe as any other form of carbon. At the time, suppliers like
Cheap Tubes classified them in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as “Synthetic
Graphite”, with safe exposure levels of between 2 mg/m3 – 5 mg/3 (essentially
treating carbon nanotubes as a “nuisance dust”).
In 2013, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
recommended an occupational exposure limit of 1 µg/m3 – a thousand times lower
than what manufacturers and distributers were using at the time.[16]

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

7.2 SAFTEY
Safety fears about carbon nanotubes, due to their structural similarity to
asbestos, have been alleviated following research showing that reducing their length
removes their toxic properties.
In a new study, published today in the journal Angewandte Chemie,
evidence is provided that the asbestos-like reactivity and pathogenicity reported for
long, pristine nanotubes can be completely alleviated if their surface is modified and
their effective length is reduced as a result of chemical treatment.

Fig.14

First atomically described in the 1990s, carbon nanotubes are sheets of carbon atoms
rolled up into hollow tubes just a few nanometres in diameter. Engineered carbon
nanotubes can be chemically modified, with the addition of chemotherapeutic drugs,
fluorescent tags or nucleic acids – opening up applications in cancer and gene therapy.

Furthermore, these chemically modified carbon nanotubes can pierce the cell
membrane, acting as a kind of ‘nano-needle’, allowing the possibility of efficient
transport of therapeutic and diagnostic agents directly into the cytoplasm of cells.

The apparent structural similarity between carbon nanotubes and asbestos

fibres has generated serious concerns about their safety profile and has resulted in
many unreasonable proposals of a halt in the use of these materials even in well-
controlled and strictly regulated applications, such as biomedical ones.[17]

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

8. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

The environmental risks of nanotubes are still unclear. Naturally occurring carbon is
fairly benign, and is largely unregulated, but nanotubes interact with the environment
differently. There have been several studies performed to test the effects of carbon
nanotubes on living systems.

Fruit fly larvae fed a diet containing nanotubes appeared to develop normally. One
study showed that cnts delay embryo development in zebra fish, but the fish otherwise
appeared normal. Mice lungs became inflamed when exposed to nanotubes. Though
the inflammation subsided within a few months, this has stark parallels to the effect of
asbestos on human lungs. Some human tumor cells seem to proliferate more rapidly in
the presence of nanotubes.

However, there is a silver lining. Cnts also hold promise for cleaning up
polluted environments. Nanotubes are very effective at absorbing chemicals from their
surroundings and have possible applications in water filtration and in air filters, such
as smokestack.

Fig.15

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CARBON NANOTUBE Semester vii 2018

9. CONCLUSION

There is much about carbon nanotubes that is still unknown. More research needs to
be done regarding the environmental and health impacts of producing large quantities
of them. There is also much work to be done towards cheaper mass-production and
incorporation with other materials before many of the current applications being
researched can be commercialized. There is no doubt however that carbon

Nanotubes will play a significant role in a wide range of commercial

applications in the very near future. Not only will they help create some very cool tech
gadgets, they may also help solve the world's energy problems

REFERENCES
1. M. S. Dresselhaus, G. Dresselhaus, and P. C. Eklund, Science of Fullerenes and
Carbon Nanotubes (Academic, New York, 1996), p. 802.

2. Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes Marc Monthioux, Philippe Serp, Emmanuel

Flahaut, Manitra Razafinimanana, Christophe Laurent, Alain Peigney, Wolfgang
Bacsa, Jean-Marc Broto
3.http://nanogloss.com/nanotubes/the-history-of-carbon-nanotubes-who-invented-the-
nanotube/#axzz5w5ztahoq
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Department of Mechanical Engineering 21 College of Engineering, Adoor