In contrast to our previous study (Barth & Marx, 2008) dealing with a currently decreasing research field (high-temperature superconductors) we analyzed here a topic which has raised a strongly increasing interest among researchers: research activities around carbon nanotubes (CNTs or NTs). Carbon nanotubes (often named only nanotubes) are graphite sheets rolled up into cylinders with diameters...

Introduction: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown enormous potential in neuroscience. Nerve growth factor (NGF)-CNTs complex promotes the neuronal growth, however, the underlying mechanism(s) have remained elusive. Based on the interplay between NGF and the endocannabinoid system, involvement of the neuroprotective endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), was investigated in the mechanis...

The polymer nanocomposite used in this work comprises elastomer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as a polymer matrix and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conductive nanofiller. To achieve uniform distribution of carbon nanotubes within the polymer, an optimized dispersion process was developed, featuring a strong organic solvent-chloroform, which dissolved PDMS base polymer easily and a...

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been used in the oxidative dehydrogenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene in an organic solvent (toluene) using molecular oxygen as the oxidant, and in the absence of trace amounts of metals. The process is very selective and almost no anthraquinone is formed. Thermal treatment of the MWCNTs at 2600 °C favors deoxygenation of the support and markedly impro...

The effects of surface modifications of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the morphology, dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly (ether ether ketone) (MWCNT/PEEK) composites have been investigated. MWCNTs were treated with mixed acids to obtain acid-functionalized MWCNTs. Then the acid-functionalized MWCNTs were modified with ethanolamine (na...

In recent years there has been tremendous research advances made in the scientific base for carbon nanotubes, and this has enabled significant improvements in the technology of carbon nanotube-based composites. The interplay between basic science and engineering has resulted in some of the most exciting accomplishments in the development of multifunctional materials. This paper highlights these...

Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds which can mimic the architecture of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are potential candidates for peripheral nerve repair application. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used in peripheral nerve repair due to their ability to promote neurite extension and support neural network formation. In this study, surface-modified nanofibrous scaffolds compo...

The optical absorption anisotropy of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been quantitatively characterized through the determination of the absorbance and the degree of linear polarization. A model considering the orientation of the MWCNTs and the sensitivity to both co-polarized and cross-polarized radiation, through electric field depolarization effects, was used to understand the expe...

single-walled carbon nanotubes (swcnt) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes(mwcnt) were melt-blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (pvdf).ft-ir technique revealed that swcnt has insignificant effect on the crystalline structure of pvdf and at 3wt% modification only 14% beta crystal isformed. this observation was accounted for by the chair structure of swcnt. in mwcnt nancomposites it was found that...

In a recent paper published in Toxicological Sciences, "Inhalation Toxicity of Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes in Rats Exposed for Three Months", a team of European researchers have reported the findings of a 90-day inhalation toxicity study of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in rats. This study led by Robert Landsiedel, Head of the Short Term Toxicology Department at BASF SE in Germany not ...