Transcript Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab: Periodically Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab: Periodically Functionalized
Carbon Nanotubes
Christopher Li, Drexel University, DMR-0239415
We have successfully developed a unique means to periodically pattern polymeric materials
on individual carbon nanotubes (CNT) using controlled polymer crystallization. One
dimensional (1D) CNTs were periodically decorated with polymer lamellar crystals, resulting
in nano hybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) structures. The periodicity of the polymer lamellae varies
from 20 - 200 nm. The kebabs are approximately 5 nm thick (along CNT direction) with a
lateral size of ~ 20 nm to micrometers, which can be readily controlled by varying the
crystallization condition. Both polyethylene and Nylon 6,6 have been successfully decorated
on multi-walled as well as single-walled CNTs. This method opens a gateway to periodically
patterning on CNTs or similar 1D nanowires in an ordered and controlled manner, an
attractive research field that is yet to be explored.
b c
a
CNT
Shish
d
CNT
CNT
PE edgeon crystals
Kebabs
100n
m
PE edge-on
crystals
Kebabs
50n
m
Folded
Polymer
single
crystals
Adv. Mater.
2005, 17,
1198-1202.
(a) and (b) show the SEM and TEM images of PE/MWNT NHSK. (c) is the schematic representation of a polymer
single crystals decorated CNT. (d) shows a color treated TEM image of PE/SWNT NHSK.
Nano Hybrid Shish Kebab: Periodically Functionalized
Carbon Nanotubes
Christopher Li, Drexel University, DMR-0239415
Education
Under this grant, two graduate
students are pursuing their Ph.D.
degrees: Mr. Kishore Tenneti (3rd
year) and Mr. Lingyu Li (4th year); Mr.
Steve Kodjie is finishing his Master
degree. Two undergraduate student
(Molly Stewart and Benjamin
Gillespie) have also been supported.
High school students were enjoying making slime and
foams in the PI’s lab.
Outreach
• Host 150 - 200 / yr high school students
/ teachers per summer for the Drexel
Summer Seed program. Students visit
our laboratory and we conduct demo
labs which have consistently been
evaluated as the “best lab” in the entire
COE.
• Host one REU student from Carnegie
Mellon University (Hillary McWilliams,
female) in summer for 10 weeks to
conduct nano science research.
• Host two high school students in the
summer for 2 weeks to conduct polymer
research.
• Recruit high school students by hosting
the “ polymer open house”.
• Participate a series of recruiting activities
such as “Inspiring a child to dream” and
“IBM sponsored society for women
engineers”.