National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
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AIST TODAYNo.34 2009-4 [ PDF:3.6MB ]


New, simple method for separation of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes
- Freeze, thaw and squeeze method paves the way for mass production -

[ PDF:685KB ]

We have developed an easy-to-use method to separate metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using agarose gel. The most effective separation was realized by a simple procedure in which a piece of gel containing SWCNTs was frozen, thawed, and squeezed with the fingers (Figure). This process does not need any special equipment other than a domestic freezer and affords a solution containing metallic SWCNTs and leaves a gel containing semiconducting SWCNTs. The method is so simple that we can easily proceed to the automation and scaling up of the process. This high-yield, low-cost, and scalable method could be suited for the industrial production of metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs, facilitating basic and applied research on SWCNT electronics.

Figure
Separation of metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs by a freeze, thaw and squeeze method using SWCNTs-containing agarose gel
A solution containing metallic SWCNTs and gel debris containing semiconducting SWCNTs are simultaneously obtained by squeezing the SWCNTs-containing gel after freeze and thaw processes.

Relational Information

AIST TODAY Vol.9 No.7 p.22 (2009)



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