What are carbon nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical structures of carbon atoms with diameters in the nanometer length scale and lengths of micrometers to centimeters. Due to the strong chemical bonds between the carbon atoms, CNTs have extraordinary mechanical strength that is many times stronger than steel or other industrial fibers. Since they are structurally equivalent to rolled up sheets of graphene, they also have outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity.
What can our FirstNano® systems do?
The FirstNano® EasyTube® range of CVD systems are engineered to grow high quality carbon nanotubes. They use the vapor-liquid-solid catalytic chemical vapor deposition process which allows for control of CNT properties, including height, density, diameter, and alignment. FirstNano® EasyTube® systems can grow single-walled, double-walled, few-walled, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Ultralong vertically aligned CNTs can be produced using our EasyTube® systems.
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How are carbon nanotubes applied commercially?
The production capacity for CNTs currently exceeds several thousand tonnes per year. Commercial applications are wide ranging. CNTs are used in composites for structural materials, sports equipment, yachts, armor vests, aerospace components, automotive parts, flame retardent materials, spark protection, lightning protection etc. CNTs are also used in surface coatings for a range of applications including transparent conductors and displays, anti-corrosion, ESD/EMI shielding, thermal interfacing, field emmision, and anti-reflection. CNTs are used in battery electrodes, sensors and diagnostics, microelectronics, solar photovoltaics, filtration, etc.
FirstNano® system platforms configurable for CNT growth.
EasyTube® 101 (25 mm x 50 mm Substrate)
EasyTube® 2000 (50 mm x 50 mm Substrate)
EasyTube® 3000 (100 mm x 100 mm Substrate)
EasyTube® 3000EXT (150 mm x 150 mm Substrate)
