Carbon nanotubes

[rd400guy]

Does anyone here have any knowledge of, or know where I can find any information regarding the decomposition of carbon nanotubes (CNT's)?

A quick search found many papers regarding CNT production, and some properties of CNT's, but I'm interested in how, if, and when they fall apart. I know that graphite has a significantly high melting temperature for use as refractory, but do CNT's remain stable at elevated temperatures (>2500°F)? Or do they break down into elemental carbon?

Also, will the presence of certain elements cause decomposition of CNT's? For instance, as I'm sure most of us know, carbon is soluble in iron, if CNT's were added to molten Fe, do they "decompose" and take their place in the iron as would a normal carbon addition in steelmaking?

 

[metengr]

Try the web site below and type in key phrases

http://www.scirus.com/srsapp/search?q=carbon+nanotube+failures&ds=jnl&ds=nom&ds=web&g=s&t=all

 

[rd400guy]

Wow, one reply. I guess this really is brand-new technology. Well, thanks metengr, I've already done a Scirus search before posting, but didn't include 'failures' as part of the search terms. Hopefully someone will chime in with some additional info.

 

[rorschach]

You might try contacting the Late Richard Smalley's old lab at Rice University here in Houston, they may be able to help.