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.