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Structural studies on carbon nanotube fibres by synchrotron radiation microdiffraction and microfluorescence
Author(s) -
Davies Richard J.,
Riekel Christian,
Koziol Krzysztof K.,
Vilatela Juan J.,
Windle Alan H.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889809036280
Subject(s) - materials science , characterization (materials science) , microbeam , synchrotron radiation , carbon nanotube , scattering , crystallite , nanotube , synchrotron , optics , composite material , nanotechnology , physics , metallurgy
This study reports on the characterization of a carbon nanotube fibre using synchrotron radiation microbeam small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering in combination with microfluorescence. The fibre, spun directly from a chemical vapour deposition reaction zone, is imaged in terms of microstructural heterogeneities. The results reveal a fibre consisting of highly oriented nanotube bundles and unoriented carbonaceous material. Within the oriented component there is a variable orientation distribution and evidence of differences in nanotube packing. Single catalyst crystallites can be located within the fibre from their wide‐angle X‐ray scattering signal, and the particulate distribution imaged using X‐ray microfluorescence. Whilst this study only constitutes a preliminary analysis, it demonstrates the application of existing fibre characterization methods to new materials. It also highlights the potential of synchrotron radiation micro‐ and nanobeam small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and microfluorescence for the study of fibres of a few µm diameter.