ABSTRACT

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one dimensional tubular structures of carbon that has attracted much attention due its potential to be used in various fields like energy storage/conversion devices, bio sensing devices, drug delivery systems to name a few. CNTs possess qualities of a good thermal conductors as well as insulators depending on its crystal direction. They are excellent conductors of heat along their axis but act as insulators in lateral direction. Their excellent electrochemical properties like electron mobility, electrical and thermal conductivity, and high surface area make them a good material for use in energy storage and conversion materials. Several synthetic strategies like arc discharge; Laser Ablation, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), pyrolysis, flame synthesis etc. have been used for mass production of CNT reinforced composite materials. The study shows CVD technique as the most suitable technique for mass manufacturing due to the low cost of experimental setup. The most promising research in the synthesis and applications of CNTs toward energy conversion and storage ishighlighted along with limitations faced in mass production.