NANO-RC · Preparation of novel materials by filling carbon nanotubes

The remarkable physical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have led to much interest in the potential for their application in many diverse directions. There are many examples in which the cavity of CNTs has been filled with a variety of compounds, including organic molecules, fullerenes, inorganic salts, water and metals. The aim of this project is to prepare new nanomaterials by filling CNTs and explore their potential applications. The method used to fill steam purified and opened CNT will depend on the characteristics of the material to be encapsulated, being the most commonly used routes the solution filling, melting filling and vapour filling. We propose to optimise the process for the filling of carbon nanotubes and the removal of the external material (from the filling experiment); to prepare and characterize nanoscaled materials which properties can differ significantly from the bulk material, and to fill carbon nanotubes with materials of interest for medical applications.