• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2024

This paper discusses the importance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in enhancing performance and resistance of tennis rackets with the application of nanotechnology. This paper discusses how nanomaterials work toward making the equipment lighter, stronger, and more durable by combining CNTs with composite materials in Tennis Rackets. Distinctive properties of the CNTs, such as the very high strength-to-weight ratio and exceptional mechanical resilience, have been exploited in racket performance optimization for better power transmission, increased control on shots, and improved durability. Resistance to wear and tear is discussed in terms of the life of a CNT-enhanced tennis racket and its continued performance with time. The findings imply that the CNTs increase the security and overall performance of tennis rackets, hence promising further innovation in sports technology equipment and the various performances expected from users.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2010

In this paper, we describe a new method to form polymer thin films, in which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are homogeneously distributed so that they can strengthen the mechanical property of resulting polymer film. To do so, we first homogeneously mixed CNTs with polymer in a DMF solvent. With the assistance of ultrasonic nebulizer, the polymer/CNT solution was then aerosolized into micro-sized droplets and finally turned into solidified polymer/CNT composite particles by gas-phase drying process. As the results of SEM and TEM analysis, CNTs were found to be homogeneously immobilized in the polymer matrix particles due to rapid drying process in the gas phase. For comparison purpose, (i) the polymer/CNTs composite particles prepared by aerosol processing method and (ii) polymer/CNTs sheets prepared by simple solution-evaporation method were employed to form polymer/CNTs composite thin films using a hot press. As the result, the aerosol processing of composite particles was found to be a much more effective method to form homogeneously distributed-CNTs in the polymer matrix thin film.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.132-138
• /
• 2007

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arc grown on Ni catalysts employing an inductively-coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) method. The structural and field-emissive properties of the CNTs grown are characterized in terms of the substrate-bias applied. Characterization using the various techniques, such as field-omission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Auger spectroscopy (AES), and Raman spectroscopy, shows that the structural properties of the CNTs, including their physical dimensions and crystal qualities, as well as the nature of vertical growth, are strongly dependent upon the application of substrate bias during CNT growth. It is for the first time observed that the provailing growth mechanism of CNTs, which is either due to tip-driven growth or based-on-catalyst growth, may be influenced by substrate biasing. It is also seen that negatively substrate-biasing would promote the vertical-alignment of the CNTs grown, compared to positively substrate-biasing. However, the CNTs grown under the positively-biased condition display a higher electron-emission capability than those grown under the negatively-biased condition or without any bias applied.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2006.08a
• /
• pp.1219-1224
• /
• 2006

This study investigates the effect of $NH_3$ gas upon the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using thermal chemical vapor deposition. It is considered that the CNT synthesis occurs mainly through two steps, clustering of catalyst particles and subsequent growth of CNTs. We thus introduced $NH_3$ during either an annealing or growth step. When $NH_3$ was fed only during annealing, CNTs grew longer and more highly crystalline with diameters unchanged. An addition of $NH_3$ during growth, however, resulted in shorter CNTs with lower crystallinity while increased their diameters. Vertically aligned, highly populated CNT samples showed poor field emission characteristics, leading us to apply post-treatments onto the CNT surface. The CNTs were treated by adhesive tapes or etched back by dc plasma of $N_2$ to reduce the population density and the radius of curvatures of CNTs. We discuss the morphological changes of CNTs and their field emission properties upon surface treatments.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.34-38
• /
• 2011

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated as reinforcements of CNT/polymer nanocomposites to enhance mechanical and electrical properties of polymer matrices since their discovery in the early 90's. Furthermore, the number of studies about incorporating CNTs into carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) to reinforce their polymer matrices is increasing recently. In this study, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were dispersed in epoxy with 0.2 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%. Then, the SWNT/epoxy mixtures were processed to carbon fiber composites by a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and a wet lay up method. The processed composite samples were tested for the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The relationship between the interlaminar shear strengths and processing, and the reinforcement mechanism of carbon nanotubes were investigated. CNT/epoxy nanocomposite specimens showed the increased tensile properties. However, the ILSS of carbon fiber composites was not enhanced by reinforcing the matrix with CNTs because of processing issues caused by increased viscosity of the matrix due to addition of CNTs particularly for a VARTM method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2005.06a
• /
• pp.1236-1239
• /
• 2005

Aligned carbon nanotubes(CNTs) array were synthesized using DC plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Silicon substrate Ni-coated of 5nm thickness were pretreated by $NH_3$ gas with a flow rate of 180sccm, for 10min. CNTs were grown on the pretreated substrates at $30%\;C_2H_2:NH_3$ flow ratios for 10min. Carbon nanotubes with diameters from 60 to 80 nanometers and lengths about 2.7 micrometers were obtained. Vertical alignment of carbon nanotubes were observed by FESEM.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2007

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is one of the various synthesis methods that have been employed for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth. In particular, Ren et al reported that large areas of vertically aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes could be grown using a direct current (dc) PECVD system. The synthesis of CNT requires a metal catalyst layer, etchant gas, and a carbon source. In this work, the substrates consists of Si wafers with Ni-deposited film. Ammonia $NH_3$) and acetylene ($C_2H_2$) were used as the etchant gases and carbon source, respectively. Pretreated conditions had an influence on vertical growth and density of CNTs. And patterned growth of CNTs could be achieved by lithographical defining the Ni catalyst prior to growth. The length of single CNT was increased as niclel dot size increased, but the growth rate was reduced when nickel dot size was more than 200 nm due to the synthesis of several CNTs on single Ni dot. The morphology of the carbon nanotubes by TEM showed that vertical CNTs were multi-wall and tip-type growth mode structure in which a Ni cap was at the end of the CNT.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2004.08a
• /
• pp.459-461
• /
• 2004

Field-emission (FE) characteristics of different photolithographically patterned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) films have been studied. The total FE current is the highest value [2.8 mA (${\sim}$106 mA/$cm^2$) at 7.5 V/${\mu}m$] in patterned CNTs film with the window size of 60 ${\mu}m$ ${\sim}$ 60 ${\mu}m$ and the spacing of 120 ${\mu}m$. It was found that the total widow area is more important factor for the total FE current than the total window length. The contact resistance between CNTs and substrate would be a crucial factor for detachment of CNTs from the substrate.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2005.07a
• /
• pp.415-418
• /
• 2005

To understand effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in nematic liquid crystal (NLC) on electro-optic characteristic and orientation of the LC, we CNT-doped homogeneously-aligned NLC cells driven by in-plane field have been fabricated. The CNTs were aligned with a LC director from the initial state to below critical ac field, whereas the CNTs disturbed the LC director field above critical ac field. We observed motional textures in the form of vertical stripes in the local area between electrodes, which were associated with a deformation of the LC director orientation. This indicates that CNTs start vibrating three dimensionally with translational motion. Further, the hysterisis studies of voltage-dependent transmittance under dc electric field show that the amount of residual dc, which is related to image sticking problem in liquid crystal displays, is greatly reduced due to ion trapping by CNTS while keeping operating voltage and response time about the same compared to the un-doped LC cell.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2002.08a
• /
• pp.662-665
• /
• 2002

The growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was carried out using ratio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (rf PECVD) system equipped with dc bias for the directional growth. Acetylene and ammonia gas were used as the carbon source and a catalyst. The relation between gas flow rate and dc bias on the growth of CNTs was investigated. We studied the relation between emission properties and the directionality of CNTs grown under different dc bias voltage.