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Synthesis of Carbon nanotubes by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Amit Khosla

Mechanical Engineering

University of Colorado

Advisor: Prof. Roop. L. Mahajan

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028

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Introduction -Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes, long, thin cylinders of carbon, were discovered in 1991 by S. Iijima

They can be thought of as a sheet of graphite (hexagonal lattice of carbon) rolled into cylinder

Mechanical property- Young Modulus of 1TPA

Electronic Properties- Semiconductor or metal

Thermal Properties- Conductivity at room temperature- 3000 W/ m.k

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028

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Motivation

To have an in house facility to produce carbon nanotubes for development of

Thermal interface material using structured carbon nanotube arrays

Carbon nanotube-epoxy composites Carbon nanotube based paint

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028

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Research Approach

Chemical vapor deposition set up

Parameters to be varied are:

Temperature , Mass Flow Rate, Hydrocarbon source, Carrier gas, Deposition Metal

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028

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Synthesis: CVD

•Large scale possible

•Relatively cheap

•SWNTs / MWNTs

•Aligned nanotubes

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028

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Schedule

Task Sep-Oct’04 Nov-Dec’04 Jan-Feb’05 Mar-Apr’05

Literature Review

Design and build Set up

Experiments

Analysis

Introduction to Research- MCEN 5028