Selective and Optimized Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes – SOS_Nanotubes

More than twenty years after the discovery of carbon nanotubes, a direct use of their exceptional properties in everyday’s life applications is soon to be expected. Because of their capability to replace other elements such as metals (In, Ga or Cu) in devices such as transparent conducting films, thin films transistors or interconnects, they will enable a smart and green technology. These applications are already working at the laboratory scale, but need further refinement and optimization to be developed at an industrial level. They are based on the use of single wall carbon nanotubes with either metallic or semi conducting electronic properties, depending on the targeted technology. One of the major remaining challenges is their low cost production. Single Wall carbon nanotubes with selected properties should then be directly obtained during the synthesis by Chemical Vapor Deposition. The SOS_Nanotubes project is a significant step forward in the understanding of growth and chiral selectivity mechanisms of single wall nanotubes. It opens new possibilities on the possible ways to reach a complete control of the tubes structure and properties directly at the synthesis step.