About carbon nanotcoils (CNCs)
Carbon nanocoils (CNCs) are coiled spring-like carbon nanotubes
produced using special catalysts possessing superior electrical
and mechanical properties comparable to the properties nanotubes
have. CNCs also exhibit superb electromagnetic wave absorption.
|
 |
Coil length |
Approx.
20µm |
Average line diameter |
Approx. 150nm |
Coil diameter |
Approx. 500nm |
Coil pitch |
Approx. 500nm |
・Mechanical properties |
Young's modulus: 0.1 TPa |
・Electrical properties |
Electrical conductivity: 107-108
S/cm |
|
Specific resistance: 1 x 10-2 − 5 x 10-3 Ω-cm |
|
Properties |
Applications |
High strength, low specific
gravity, excellent thermal stability and thermal conductivity |
Nanosprings, reinforcement
materials and thermally conductive materials |
High electrical conductivity
comparable to that of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) |
Electrical conductors
and electrodes (flat displays, electric double layer
capacitors and fuel cells) |
Reactive to electromagnetic
waves |
Electromagnetic wave
absorbers |
High rigidity and vibration
damping characteristics |
Structural materials
for industrial robots, sports goods, audio products
and aircraft |
|
|
|
Developmental overview
Project research consisted of two main themes: “Development
of Controlled Synthesis Process and High-volume Synthesis
Equipment” and “Development of High-performance Carbon Nanocoil
Composites and Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers.” For the
first theme, a high-volume synthesis process was developed
using CNC synthesis testing equipment, while catalyst development
required studies to determine optimal catalyst composition
ratio and a suitable catalyst supporting method that would
enhance catalytic activity. For the second theme, dispersing
CNCs in various resins would lead to the development of
“one and only” composite materials was desired in order
to commercialize electromagnetic wave absorbers, damping
materials and transparent conductive films. |
| |
Development of controlled synthesis process and high-volume
synthesis equipment
1. High-efficiency CNC synthesis achieved through optimal
catalyst structures
2. High-volume, high-purity CNC synthesis realized through
a fluidized bed method
3. Creation of a CNC synthesis testing system |
| 
|
TEM image of a catalyst
for CNC synthesis: Fe2O3 particles
(100 - 200nm diameters) and SnO2 nanoparticles |
|
High-purity CNC high-volume
synthesized using the fluidized bed method |
|
|
Development of high-performance carbon nanotube-resin
composites
1. Establishment of technology for uniform, orientational
CNC dispersion in resins through solution-casting and melt-kneading
methods
2. Development of a transparent antistatic film by combining
fluorine resin with CNCs
3. Development of vibration damping materials by combining
carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin or carbon fiber-reinforced
polyamide resin with CNCs |
 |
| |
Development of electromagnetic wave absorbers using
CNC composites
1. Development of wide range megahertz to gigahertz electromagnetic
wave absorbers
2. Development of noise suppression sheets |
 |
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