Development of a sublimable surfactant and model of dispersion and aggregation of carbon nanotubes in non-aqueous solvent

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K04841
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 28030:Nanomaterials-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kato Yuichi 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 材料・化学領域, 研究員 (20709175)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 杉野 卓司 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 材料・化学領域, 主任研究員 (50357266)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 分散剤 / カーボンナノチューブ / 昇華 / 非水溶媒 / 分散

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a dispersant that is capable of centrifugal sedimentation separation of semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes and has sublimation properties. Residue of the dispersant has been a challenge for the practical application of carbon nanotube fibers, electrode films, and so on. The dispersibility and sublimation properties of flavins having alkyl groups of different lengths in their side chains were investigated, and the sublimation temperature was successfully lowered by 50°C compared to known compounds, enabling sublimation removal without scorching. The paper summarizing the research results was accepted for publication in the Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan.

Free Research Field

分析化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

分散剤の昇華性と分散安定性のトレードオフの関係を明らかにし、最適な分子設計の指針を得たこと。また、昇華性分散剤はガス化するためカーボンナノチューブの多孔質構造体の内部からも拡散して出ていきやすく、残留の問題を低減する可能性がある。昇華で精製できるため、課題であった分散剤の再利用コストについても大幅に低減でき、工業的にも利用可能な半導体性金属性分離能のある、したがって次世代のカーボンナノチューブの電気的特性を活用する技術シーズとなる分散剤となる可能性がある。