Catalysts and SWNT modification: Towards a vision of SWNT amplification

PRES 114

Andrew R. Barron, arb@rice.edu, Department of Chemistry, Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005
An important technical challenge facing the world is providing clean, affordable energy, whose supply is sustainable and universally available. A key technical component of a highly efficient power grid is power cables (quantum conductors) with which to rewire the electrical transmission grid, and enable continental, and even worldwide electrical energy transport. One material that offers a potential technical solution for low loss power cables is the armchair SWNT. If SWNT amplification can be moved from demonstration to a complete process then the ability to manufacture quantum wire conductors can be a reality. Using chemically functionalized SWNTs we have synthesized catalyst-SWNT complexes (SWNT-cat) with a range of catalyst precursors, and demonstrated re-growth of the SWNT. Issues to be resolved in the scale-up of this process will be discussed.