Final Report Summary - CANAPE (Carbon nanotubes for applications in electronics, catalysis, composites and nano-biology)
Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) synthesis is the most common process to form bulk quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using scalable equipment. On the other hand, the ability to control CNT and carbon nanofibre (CNF) dimensions holds the key to many potential applications. Therefore, one aim of the CANAPE project was to demonstrate the ability to produce reasonable quantities of CNTs and CNFs of certain dimensions, namely to scale-up the production and purification, as well, of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes towards a level of one ton per year. In terms of chemistry, CNTs can be used as metal-free catalysts for large scale chemical reactions, consequently, another goal of the project was to develop and scale up the use of herringbone multi-walled carbon nanotubes in order to be used as catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene to styrene.
Concerning electronics, CNTs find numerous applications such as the development of techniques for the lateral growth of CNTs at defined positions for use as components in electronic devices such as interconnects and vias, the reduction in CNT contact resistance for interconnects and integrated circuits, the study of spin coherent transport for possible future quantum computers, the development of CNT field effect transistor for the post-CMOS era, the development of patterning and orientation techniques for electronic devices and biotechnology sensors as well as the fabrication of high brightness CNT electron sources. Composite polymers also dictate the use of CNTs for materials with intrinsically high mechanical properties by control of the alignment, functionalisation, loading and inter-linking of nanotubes and the polymer host. Furthermore, the study involved the measurement of possible CNT toxicity effects and the plan of a public acceptability programme. Finally, the project aimed to hold annual open workshops as well as train post-doctorates and students regarding the techniques of nanotechnology.
Concerning electronics, CNTs find numerous applications such as the development of techniques for the lateral growth of CNTs at defined positions for use as components in electronic devices such as interconnects and vias, the reduction in CNT contact resistance for interconnects and integrated circuits, the study of spin coherent transport for possible future quantum computers, the development of CNT field effect transistor for the post-CMOS era, the development of patterning and orientation techniques for electronic devices and biotechnology sensors as well as the fabrication of high brightness CNT electron sources. Composite polymers also dictate the use of CNTs for materials with intrinsically high mechanical properties by control of the alignment, functionalisation, loading and inter-linking of nanotubes and the polymer host. Furthermore, the study involved the measurement of possible CNT toxicity effects and the plan of a public acceptability programme. Finally, the project aimed to hold annual open workshops as well as train post-doctorates and students regarding the techniques of nanotechnology.
