Easy preparation of self-assembled high-density buckypaper with enhanced mechanical properties.

A controlled assembly and alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a high-packing density with a scalable way remains challenging. This paper focuses on the preparation of self-assembled and well-aligned CNTs with a densely packed nanostructure in the form of buckypaper via a simple filtration method. The CNT suspension concentration is strongly reflected in the alignment and assembly behavior of CNT buckypaper. We further demonstrated that the horizontally aligned CNT domain gradually increases in size when increasing the deposited CNT quantity. The resultant aligned buckypaper exhibited notably enhanced packing density, strength, modulus, and hardness compared to previously reported buckypapers.

Experimental consideration of the Hansen solubility parameters of as-produced multi-walled carbon nanotubes by inverse gas chromatography.

The Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) of as-produced multi-walled carbon nanotubes (APMWCNTs) were determined by means of the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique. Due to non-homogeneous surfaces of the APMWCNTs arising from defects and impurities, it was necessary to establish adequate working conditions for determining the HSPs of the CNTs. We then obtained the HSPs of the APMWCNTs and compared these results with earlier reports as determined by using sedimentation and molecular dynamics simulation methods. It was found that the determination of the HSPs of the CNTs by IGC can give an enhanced determination range based on the adsorption thermodynamic parameters, compared to the HSPs determined using sedimentation methods. And the HSPs of the APMWCNTs, determined here, provided good guidelines for the selection of feasible solvents that can improve the dispersion of the APMWCNTs.

MOF-derived ZnO and ZnO@C composites with high photocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity.

Nanostructured ZnO materials have unique and highly attractive properties and have inspired interest in their research and development. This paper presents a facile method for the preparation of novel ZnO-based nanostructured architectures using a metal organic framework (MOF) as a precursor. In this approach, ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO@C hybrid composites were produced under several heating and atmospheric (air or nitrogen) conditions. The resultant ZnO nanoparticles formed hierarchical aggregates with a three-dimensional cubic morphology, whereas ZnO@C hybrid composites consisted of faceted ZnO crystals embedded within a highly porous carbonaceous species, as determined by several characterization methods. The newly synthesized nanomaterials showed relatively high photocatalytic decomposition activity and significantly enhanced adsorption capacities for organic pollutants.