Carbon nanotube properties
Carbon nanotubes are cylinders of graphite sheets, which consist of carbon atoms in a hexagonal honeycomb pattern, but they vary by size, the way in which they are curved, and the type of layering present, meaning they have diverse properties. These properties include being thin and light, and extremely strong, as well as the remarkable property of being able to be used as a semiconductor with the right three-dimensional structure.
| Properties | Examples |
| Morphology / Size | Extremely large aspect ratio size ・SWNT (diameter 0.5～3nm, length 0.5～2µm) bundled compositio ・MWNT (diameter 5～100nm, length 1～10μm) Bulk density is extremely low at 0.02～0.15g/cm3s |
| Chemical properties | Comprised of sp2 orbital hybridization carbon atoms, high chemical and thermal stability Particle surface is hydrophobic |
| Electric properties | Current density is 1GA/cm2, 1000 times that of copper Electron mobility is 70 times that of silicon SWNTs are composites of metal and semiconductors; MWNTs have superior metallic conductivity and electron emission ability |
| Mechanical properties | Tensile strength is 50～70GPa, 100 times that of steel Tensile elastic modulus is 2000～5000GPa Pliable and high in elasticity, flexibility and tribological property |
| Thermal properties | Thermal conductivity is 2000～3000W/mK, 10 times that of copper, three times that of diamonds |
| Optical properties | Refractive index is 1.5～1.6 Colored blackish or neutral |
