Why is it in the News?

Recently, researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have pioneered a novel method for directly synthesising CNTs on glass substrates at a temperature of 750 °C.

What are Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)?

• A carbon nanotube is a small cylindrical carbon structure made out of graphene.
• The tube comprises hexagonal structures.
  • Despite their very small size, carbon nanotubes are very strong.
• Carbon nanotubes are also known as “Buckytubes” because they resemble R. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes.
• They are pivotal in advancing modern technology by showcasing extraordinary properties.
• Applications: They have found applications in diverse fields, including rechargeable batteries, flexible electronics, aerospace, transparent electrodes, touch screens, supercapacitors, and medicine.
• Recent Developments: The experiment employs the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique (PECVD), in which a spiral-shaped fused hollow cathode source is specifically constructed to create plasma.
  • This novel method avoids the requirement for high temperatures and does not require a transition metal catalyst.

Why is It Necessary?

• Metal catalysts (Fe, Co, and Ni) and high temperatures (~1000 0C) are needed for conventional CNT production procedures.
• Concerns about biocompatibility arise with these catalysts for possible biomedical uses.
• A fascinating area of nanotechnology, the removal of these catalysts from CNTs presents a huge financial hurdle, underscoring the urgent need for cleaner, more sustainable CNT synthesis techniques.
• Clean CNTs that can be used in biomedical settings, optoelectronics, and energy studies may now be produced.