Carbon nanotubes are a form of carbon, similar to graphite found in

pencils. They are hollow cylindrical tubes and are 10,000 times

smaller than human hair, but stronger than steel. They are also good

conductors of electricity and heat, and have a very large surface area.

Because of these properties they can sell for up to £680 for just 1g!

Jonathan Acomb and Paul T. Williams

The UK produces more than 2 million tonnes of waste plastic each

year. Instead of throwing this away, by converting it to carbon

nanotubes and hydrogen it:

• Allows production of valuable products like touch screen devices

• Avoids the environmentally damaging use of landfill sites

• Generates money from waste product

• Uses a range of plastics, that are hard to recycle by other means

1. What are carbon nanotubes?

The list is almost endless! They could be used in:

• Touch screen devices like tablets, and phones

• High strength materials like bullet proof vests

• Removing pollution from water

• Hydrogen fuel cells that power cars

• Solar panels

2. What can they be used for?

Hydrogen is a green energy fuel which could

replace unsustainable and polluting fossil fuels.

This is because when it burns it gives off no carbon

dioxide. Many of the car companies are developing

cars that run on hydrogen fuel.

3. Why hydrogen?

5. What are the benefits?

Plastics are heated in N2 atmosphere

A catalyst breaks them down further into carbon and hydrogen.

Carbon grows as carbon nanotubes on the catalyst surface.

Carbon nanotubes + Hydrogen

They break down to form methane and other gases

The research concentrates on producing carbon nanotubes and

hydrogen from waste plastics.

4. What is the research?