Industrial design standards for carbon nanotubes production
Micro and nano-structurally rich carbon materials have been considered ideal candidates for many applications ranging from super-capacitors to electronic field emission, of potential interest for electric vehicles to scanning electron microscopes. In particular, carbon nanotubes exhibit extraordinary field emission properties due to their unique atomic structure, their "whisker-like" shape for optimum geometrical field enhancement, excellent chemical inertness and remarkable thermal stability. Aiming to capitalise on this potential, research work at the Nanoledge S.A laboratories focused on overcoming practical difficulties in consistently producing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in sufficient quantities for industrial processing. The conditions for carbon sublimation into hot plasma during the electric arc discharge process and its subsequent condensation were perfected to a point where the formation of SWNTs is commercially viable. To improve the efficiency of post-synthesis purification of SWNTs and defect elimination, an alternative procedure was proposed that involves initial selection of raw product from the reactor. Amorphous carbon and carbon nanoparticles can be successfully removed along with other impurities to deliver a final product of high purity, which can reach up to 70 wt%, by using 35 wt% of the raw product. Nanoledge S.A. continually develops process solutions and core technologies for single-walled carbon nanotubes fabrication by maintaining close collaborative links with both academia and industry. Innovation is supported by a dedicated applications laboratory that provides advanced materials for academic and industrial research, as well as production environments. The company is willing to offer their experience and expertise within collaborative arrangements with industrial partners and to set up a carbon nanotubes production plant.
