Magnetic Fractionation and Alignment of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Abstract
We study mechanisms of single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) alignment in a magnetic field. Through magnetic fractionation, we create SWNT suspensions with varying quantities of magnetic catalyst particles. The degree of tube alignment in magnetic fields up to 9 Tesla is quantified using polarized optical absorbance anisotropy. Continuous measurements of the nematic order parameter of these suspensions in variable magnetic fields provides a way to identify the origin of magnetic torques giving rise to nanotube alignment. Initial data suggests a transition from catalyst-driven to nanotube-anisotropy driven orientation as the catalyst fraction is reduced. We relate these results to observations of nanotube aggregation. This work has been supported by NSF through DMR-0203378, DMR-079909 and DGE-0221664, NASA through NAG8-2172, DARPA/ONR through N00014-01-1-0831, and SENS.
- Publication:
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APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARY16003I