| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S49650/01 |
| Title: |
Novel inorganic nanotubes and biochemical nanocomposites: Bulk generation, characterisation and property investigation |
| Principal Investigator: |
Zhu, Professor Y |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Mech Materials Manuf Eng Mgt |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 December 2003 |
Ends: |
30 November 2008 |
Value (£): |
231,534
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Manufacturing |
| Electronics |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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28 May 2003
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Materials Fellowships Imterview Panel 2003
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Deferred
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25 Apr 2003
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Materials Fellowships Sift Panel 2003
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Deferred
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Inorganic nanomaterials (particularly WS2 nanotubes) have recently been shown to have important applications (e.g. as a solid lubricant) and to be of great scientific interest. Shockwave experiments have revealed that these nanotubes possess exceptional tensile strength which appears to be due to their unique spring-like structure. In order to understand the behaviour of these novel materials and to meet the requirements of nanotechnological development, large scale production of quality material is essential. The best yield to date of WS2 nanotubes is ca. 5-10%, the remainder being nanoparticles. In this context, we shall first focus attention on preparing high quaity WS2 nanotubes in large quantity via W03 nanorods, using chemical exchange, thermal shock and other sonication methods. Such semiconducting nanotubes will be employed as templates in the construction of electronic and biochemical nanocomposites, e.g. to form insulating/semiconducting BN-WS2 nanotubes and organic-semiconducting rosette-WS2 nanotubes, and to assess respective electronic and biomedical properties associated with nanodevice fabrication. The pressure-resisting character (up to 100 GPa) of single-walled carbon, WS2 and MoS2 nanotubes and their multi-walled nanotubes will be investigated in detail in-situ using Raman spectroscopy and x-rays in a diamond anvil cell and dynamic shockwaves. These postshock materials will be characterised using EELS and HRTEM techniques. Other novel high performance ceramicnanorods, e.g. A1203, MgO and BN, will be generated and characterised in this context. NbS2 and MgB2 superconducting nanowires, considered to be key components for nanodevices, will be produced utilising catalysed heating processes, and their critical currents and transition temperatures will be asscertained by SQUID methodology. Examination methods will involve HRTEM, XRD, EDX, EELS, Raman, SQUID, and other electronic and biochemical evaluation. I particularly aim to explore the behaviour that these spring-like structures can input to bulk composite materials.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |