Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1. Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes
Due to their impressive array Ofpropertiesj carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have
received a substantial amount of attention since the landmark paper in 1991 which
brought them to prominence [1]. In the nearly two decades since their naissance,
CNTs have been explored in a wide range Ofapplications ranging from field
emission [2], capacitors [3], hydrogen storage [4], chemical sensing [5], thermal
management [6], and even as axles in nanoscale vehicles [7].
The application of CNTs for these purposes is owed to the truly impressive
properties of these molecules. They are reported to have a thermal conductivity up
to 6,600 at room temperature [8], have been shown to be capable of exhibiting
ballistic electrical conduction [9], and can have axial mechanical strength on the
order of 1 TPa [10], properties which are head-and-shoulders and, in some cases,