Characterisation Techniques of Carbon Nanotube Based Composites for Emerging Technology

Abstract

Future research and development challenges of modern world need efficient and reliable characterisation techniques to facilitate investigation of scientists and technologists. Emerging applications in energy storage and conversion technologies such as fuel cells, nextgeneration batteries, and nano-generators, and in sensors including wearable human motion sensors have driven the carbon nanotube (CNT) research in rapid fashion. Particularly in electrochemical energy storage, CNTs are extensively employed in supercapacitor electrodes owing to their elevated electrical conductivity, mechanical robustness, and electro-catalytic prowess. In order to investigate the morphological and structural characterizations of nanotubes, few techniques are able at the individual level such as Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy and Transmission Electronic Microscopy. Carbon-based nanocomposites, which integrate CNTs with other materials, exhibit extraordinary mechanical strength, high electrical and thermal parameters, large surface area, and unique optical properties. Spectroscopic techniques like Raman, NMR, FTIR etc. have facilitated validation regarding biocompatibility, chemical reactivity and reinforcing ability of CNT in various matrices. Viscoelastic, thermal & mechanical parameters relevant to their strength, modulus, flexibility and conductivity are tested using Dynamic Mechanical Analyser, Universal Testing Machine, Differential Scanning Calorimetry; EMI shielding effectiveness and dielectric properties are measured by vector network analyser. Utilisation of appropriate characterization tools can not only save time to fully evaluate different materials, it can also develop commercial product safer, robust and efficient thus facilitating successful implementation of experimental research to real-world application.