Carbon Nanotubes - Isis Project No 32

Researchers in Oxford's Department of Inorganic Chemistry have been looking at ways of opening the ends of carbon nanotubes and filling them with metals and metal compounds.

Background

Carbon nanotubes consist typically of four to twenty concentric tubes of carbon which are capped at both ends. The tubes are 1000 to 2000 angstroms in length and have an internal diameter of 20 to 150 angstroms. The tubes are thermally stable at temperatures of over 1000oC and they display a chemical inertness which is similar in most respects to that of graphite.

Problem

A number of ways of opening and filling tubes have already been explored but, so far, they have all had limited value. The Oxford team has now developed a very simple and efficient way of opening and filling tubes. In addition, they found that metal salts could be incorporated into the inner body of the tubes forming nanoparticles on reduction.

The Oxford Invention

Research workers in Oxford's Department of Inorganic Chemistry have been looking at ways of opening the nanotubes and filling them with metals and metal compounds. Nanoparticles, encapsulated in carbon shells in this way, have potentially interesting chemical and physical properties.

The filled nanotubes have very interesting magnetic properties and potential for application in many fields. By analogy with shape-selective catalysts as zeolites, it can be envisaged that open buckytubes containing catalyst particles might display useful selectivity by virtue of substrate size discrimination or by virtue of the exposure of only one or two of the possible surfaces of a contained metal crystal.

Commercialisation Opportunity

This discovery has a granted US patent no. 6090363. Isis Innovation is interested in discussing suitable arrangements with companies who wish to develop and utilise this technology.

Keywords

protein support, magnetic properties, separations, catalysts, carbon nanotubes, MW, SW, multi-walled, single-walled

Request Further Information: Project 32 - Opening And Filling Carbon Nanotubes