Title: Surfaces of carbon nanotubes as revealed by thermogravimetric and solvent extraction techniques

Abstract

Perhaps the greatest challenge in the real-world application of carbon nanotubes is a lack of practical knowledge about the chemical nature of their surfaces. Compounding the problem is that many commercial nanotube manufacturers produce admixtures of tube types. While it is possible in some cases to separate and isolate the types, such processes are limited in terms of species that can be isolated and often require specialized equipment. In this study I present demonstrate how deconvolution of thermogravimetric mass loss curves reveals the number of carbon species present, and the validity of the deconvolution is confirmed through both statistical tests and application of accepted combustion kinetic models (e. g. Fraser Suzuki). The resulting distribution functions obtained for the combustion activation energies are discussed, especially with respect to surface chemical homogeneity and carbon nanotube network morphology. Comparisons between raw samples and those that have had surface contaminants removed using a Soxhlet technique are also given. These contaminants are mainly polyaromatic hydrocarbons, identified here using GC/MS and UV-Vis spectrometry and their implications for nanotube synthesis are presented.

Biography

Mark Banash is President and Chief Scientist at Neotericon LLC, a consultancy specializing in nanoscience, nanomaterials, and nanotechnology. He was VP-Chief Scientist at Nanocomp Technologies (now Huntsman Chemicals) where he was responsible for the fundamental science of how Nanocomp made their carbon nanomaterial-based sheet and yarns as well as identifying and proving the links between their unique nanoscale features and the performance of end products. Prior to Nanocomp, he was the Director for Production and Quality for Zyvex Corporation, where he managed manufacturing operations and initiated the industry's first supply chain certification process to qualify carbon nanotubes. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Princeton University, an MBA from the University of Maryland University College, and a B.A. with honors in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the International Standards Organization (ISO) U.S. Technical Advisory Group on the measurement of nanomaterials and has worked closely with NIOSH in their efforts to develop and deploy nanomaterial health and safety programs.