• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 2017

Multiwalled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNT) and micro-structured carbon, such as biochar or activated carbon (AC), have been seen to significantly increase the growth indices of certain plant species such as maize (Zea mays L.). Seed imbibition is the stage where environmental factors that affect water transport across the seed coat barrier, make a large impact. This work explores the effect on water imbibition by maize seeds when the aqueous environment surrounding the seed is diluted by small concentrations (10 and 20 mg/l) of pristine MWCNT (p-MWCNT), carboxylate functionalized MWCNT (COO-MWCNT) and AC. The degree of sensitivity of the process to (i) large structural changes is seen by utilizing the nano (the MWCNT) and the micro (the AC) allotropic forms of carbon; (ii) to small changes in the purity and morphology of the p-MWCNT by utilizing 95% pure and 99% pure p-MWCNTs of slightly differing morphologies; and (iii) to MWCNT functionalization by using highly pure (97%) COO-MWCNT. Water imbibition was monitored over a 15 hour period by Near Infrared Thermography (NIRT) and also by seed weighing. Seed surface topography was seen by SEM imaging. Analysis of the NIRT images suggests rapid seed surface topological changes with the quantity of water imbibed. While further work is necessary to arrive at a conclusive answer, this work shows that the imbibition phase of the maize seed is sensitive to the presence of MWCNT even to small differences in the purity of the p-MWCNT and to small differences in the physicochemical properties of the medium caused by the hydrophilic COO-MWCNT.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.308-313
• /
• 2014

The effect of electrochemical characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) upon employing multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on both working electrode and counter electrode were examined with using EIS, J-V curves and UV-Vis absorption spectrometry. When 0.1 wt% of MWCNT was employed in the $TiO_2$-MWCNT composit on working electrode, the energy conversion efficiency increased about 12.5% compared to the $TiO_2$ only working electrode. The higher light conversion efficiency may attribut to the high electrical conductivity of MWCNT in $TiO_2$-MWCNT composite which improves the electron transport in the working electrode. However, higher amount of MWCNT than 0.1 wt% in the $TiO_2$-MWCNT composite decreases the light conversion efficiency, which is mainly ascribed to the decreased transmittance of light by MWCNT and to the decreased adsorption of dye onto $TiO_2$. The MWCNT employed counter electrode exhibited much lower light conversion efficiency of DSSC than the Pt-counter electrode, while the MWCNT-Pt counter electrode showed similar in light conversion efficiency to that of Pt-counter electrode.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2009

Polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PS/MWCNT) composites were prepared by the use of latex technology. The monodisperse PS latex was synthesized by an emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization from styrene/potassium persulfate/water system in the presence of ethanol. The MWCNTs were first treated with acid mixture to eliminate impurities, dispersed in deionized water driven by ultrasonicator, and then mixed with the PS latex. From these mixtures, PS/MWCNT composites were prepared by freeze-drying and subsequent compression molding. In the small-amplitude oscillatory shear experiments, both complex viscosity and storage modulus increased with increasing MWCNT content. A pronounced effect of MWCNT content was observed, resulting in larger storage modulus and stronger yield behavior at low frequencies when compared to unmodified PS. It showed a transition from viscous to elastic behavior with increasing MWCNT content. Over the MWCNT content of 3 wt%, the storage modulus was higher than the loss modulus across all frequencies.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.251-256
• /
• 2013

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified with Pd and $TiO_2$ composite catalysts were synthesized by the sol-gel method followed by solvothermal treatment at low temperature. The chemical composition and surface structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photocatalytic recycle degradation experiments were carried out under both UV and visible light irradiation in the presence of MWCNT/$TiO_2$ and Pd-MWCNT/$TiO_2$ composites. As expected, the nanosized Pd-MWCNT/$TiO_2$ photocatalysts had enhanced activity over the non Pd treated MWCNT/$TiO_2$ material in the degradation of a rhodamine B (Rh.B) solution. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed and attributed to an increase in the photo-absorption effect by MWCNTs and the cooperative effect of Pd and $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. According to the recycled results, the as-prepared Pd-MWCNT/$TiO_2$ sample had a good effect on it.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.470-477
• /
• 2013

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based nano-composite pastes having a high filler content are prepared for the facile fabrication of a counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). A polystyrene-based functional block copolymer is prepared through a controlled "living" radical polymerization technique, affording a surface modifier for the dispersion control of MWCNT in the paste. Physical dispersion through a ball-milling method additionally confirms the importance of the dispersion control, providing DSSC with enhanced processibility and improved solar-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency (${\eta}$) values. The performances of the DSSCs are further improved through the incorporation of minor amount of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles into the MWCNT pastes. The DSSC with the Pt/MWCNT hybrid CE exhibits very high ${\eta}$ values, which is superior to that of DSSC with the standard Pt CE.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.215-222
• /
• 2017

The effect of a multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNCT) on the adhesive properties and thermal properties of epoxy were studied by double lap-shear tests. Epoxy/MWCNT resins were prepared from a different amount of the MWCNT incorporated into the epoxy resins (araldite 2011). Steel plates and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) were chosen as materials. Mechanical tests were performed by a universal testing machine (UTM). The analysis of thermal properties were conducted by a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The fracture surface morphology was examined using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope. Compared to neat epoxy, it was found that the mechanical properties of epoxy/MWCNT resins are increased.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.521-526
• /
• 2018

In particular, gas sensors require characteristics such as high speed, sensitivity, and selectivity. In this study, we fabricated a $NO_X$ gas sensor by using a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/zinc oxide (ZnO) composite film. The fabricated MWCNT/ZnO gas sensor was then treated by a $450^{\circ}C$ temperature process to increase its detection sensitivity for NOx gas. We compared the detection characteristics of a ZnO film gas sensor, MWCNT film gas sensor, and the MWCNT/ZnO composited film gas sensor with and without the heat-treatment process. The fabricated gas sensors were used to detect $NO_X$ gas at different concentrations. The gas sensor absorbed $NO_X$ gas molecules, exhibiting increased sensitivity. The sensitivity of the gas sensor was increased by increasing the gas concentration. Additionally, while changing the temperature inside the chamber for the MWCNT/ZnO composite film gas sensor, we obtained its sensitivity for detecting $NO_X$ gas. Compared with ZnO, the MWCNT film gas sensor is excellent for detecting $NO_X$ gas. From the experimental results, we confirmed the enhanced gas sensor sensing mechanism. The increased effect by electronic interaction between the MWCNT and ZnO films contributes to the improved sensor performance.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2015

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposite was prepared by direct melt mixing to investigate the effect of the shear rate on the surface resistivity of the nanocomposites. In this study, an experiment was carried out to observe the shear induced orientation of the MWCNT in the polymer matrix using a very simple melt flow indexer with various loads. The compression-molded, should be eliminated. MWCNT/PC nanocomposite sample exhibited lower percolation thresholds (at 0.8 vol%) and higher electrical conductivity values than those of samples extruded by capillary and injection molding. Shear induced orientation of MWCNT was observed via scanning electron microscopy, in the direction of flow in a PC matrix during the extrusion process. The surface resistivity rose with increasing shear rate, because of the breakdown of the network junctions between MWCNTs. For real applications such as injection molding and the extrusion process, the amount of the MWCNT in the composite should be carefully selected to adjust the electrical conductivity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2016.02a
• /
• pp.433-433
• /
• 2016

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) emitter has widely become an attractive mechanism that draws growing interests for cold cathode field emission. CNT yarns have demonstrated its potential as excellent field emitters. It was demonstrated that a small focal spot size was achieved by manipulating some electrical parameters, such as applied bias voltage at the mesh gate, and electrostatic focal lenses, geometrical parameters, such as axial distances of the anode, and the electrostatic focal lens from the cathode assembly, and the dimension of the opening of the electrostatic lens. Electrical-optics software was used to systematically investigate the behavior of the electron beam trajectory when the aforementioned variables were manipulated. The results of the experiment agree with the theoretical simulation results. Each variable has an individual effect on the electron beam focal spot size impinging on the target anode. An optimum condition of the parameters was obtained producing good quality of X-ray images. Also, MWCNT yarn was investigated for field emission characteristics and its contribution in the X-ray generation. The dry spinning method was used to fabricate MWCNT yarn from super MWCNTs, which was fabricated by MW-PECVD. The MWCNT yarn has a significant field emission capability in both diode and the triode X-ray generation structure compared to a MWCNT. The low-voltage-field emission of the MWCNT yarn can be attributed to the field enhancing effect of the yarn due to its shape and the contribution of the high-aspect-ratio nanotubes that protrude from the sides of the yarn. Observations of the use of filters on the development of X-ray images were also demonstrated. The amount of exposure time of the samples to the X-ray was also manipulated. The MWCNT yarn can be a good candidate for use in the low voltage field emission application of X-ray imaging.

• Korean Journal of Dental Materials
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of multiwall carbon nanotube functionalized with carboxyl group (MWCNT-COOH) on the mechanical properties of dental glassionomer cement (GIC). MWCNT-COOH was prepared by the acid oxidative method. The MWCNT-COOH was incorporated into a commercial GIC powder or liquid at 0.5 wt% or 1.0 wt%. The net setting time of the cements was measured in accordance with ISO 9917 (Dental water-based cement). Specimens for compressive strength ($4mm{\varphi}{\times}6mm$), diametral tensile strength ($6mm{\varphi}{\times}4mm$) and flexure strength with modulus ($2mm{\times}2mm{\times}25mm$) were prepared by mixing with the cement liquid and kept in water bath of $(37{\pm}1)^{\circ}C$. Mechanical tests were conducted in 1 d, 7 d, and 14 days at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. Compressive strength of GIC mixed with 0.5 wt% MWCNT-COOH increased significantly at 7 d. However, overall mechanical properties of GIC modified with MWCNT were not significantly increased with a delayed setting time, in comparison with control cement. Overall results indicated that the MWCNT/GIC composite cements showed a limited strengthening effect for dental glassionomer cement.