nanomaterials
Carbon nanotubes consist of carbon atoms that form nanoscale tubular structures through special arrangements. Graphene sheets get rolled into either single or multiple layers to form carbon nanotubes which possess a hollow tubular structure. The distinctive physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics of carbon nanotubes make them highly suitable for applications across various disciplines including materials science and electronics along with nanotechnology.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes have a simple structure with only one layer of carbon atoms and their diameters range from 1 to 2 nanometers. The particular structure of single-walled carbon nanotubes produces both exceptional mechanical properties and very high specific surface area. Single-walled carbon nanotubes have tensile strength that exceeds steel by several times and they maintain excellent flexibility. Single-walled carbon nanotubes exhibit a wide variety of electrical properties. The electrical nature of carbon nanotubes can be metallic or semiconducting based on their chiral index which makes them suitable for diverse electronic device applications.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes develop by curling multiple graphene layers into concentric structures which produce diameters from a few nanometers up to tens of nanometers. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibit enhanced mechanical stability due to their multi-layer structure which grants them higher compressive strength and improved conductivity. The internal multi-layer structure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes results in interactions between layers which impact electron transport and produce electrical properties that are not as pure compared to single-walled carbon nanotubes. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes remain the material of choice for applications that need high conductivity alongside good thermal stability.
Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)
SWCNTs demonstrate promise as nanomaterials across multiple fields because their distinct structure enables superior performance. This article analyzes the structure and properties of SWCNTs along with their various applications across different fields.
Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)
Multiple concentric graphene layers make up multi-walled carbon nanotubes with about 0.34 nanometers between each layer. Multiple graphene layers in multi-walled carbon nanotubes result in a larger diameter between 10 and 50 nanometers and improved mechanical strength. The multi-layer construction of MWCNT provides higher durability and strength compared to single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Comparison of Single-Walled and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
The two primary types of carbon nanotubes—single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)—share excellent nanostructures and properties yet differ significantly in their structural characteristics as well as performance and versatile applications.
While both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) exhibit unique nanostructures and excellent properties as the primary carbon nanotube types they differ significantly in structure performance and application domains.