What are Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)?

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) are cylindrical nanostructures made of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice. They exhibit extraordinary mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability, making them valuable in a wide range of industrial, electronic, and biomedical applications.

Chemical Properties and CAS Number

  • Material: Carbon (C)
  • CAS Number: 308068-56-6
  • Diameter: 0.8 – 2 nm
  • Length: 1 – 50 μm
  • Density: 1.3 – 1.4 g/cm³
  • Purity: ≥ 90%-99% (Available in high purity grades)
  • Electrical Conductivity: Metallic or semiconducting (depending on chirality)
  • Thermal Conductivity: Up to 3,500 W/m·K
  • Tensile Strength: Up to 50 times stronger than steel

Applications of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)

1. Electronics & Semiconductors

  • Used in flexible electronics, transistors, and quantum computing.
  • Applied in supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and conductive inks.
  • Integrated into wearable technology and transparent conductive films.

2. Nanocomposites & Structural Materials

  • Enhances strength and flexibility in composite materials.
  • Used in high-performance aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
  • Improves thermal and electrical conductivity in coatings and polymers.

3. Energy Storage & Batteries

  • Used in next-generation energy storage like supercapacitors and fuel cells.
  • Improves cathode and anode performance in lithium-ion batteries.
  • Enhances hydrogen storage capabilities for fuel cells.

4. Biomedical & Drug Delivery

  • Used for targeted drug delivery, biosensors, and cancer therapy.
  • Applied in tissue engineering, bioimaging, and diagnostic tools.
  • Functionalized for biocompatibility and medical applications.

5. Optoelectronics & Photonics

  • Enhances solar cells, OLED displays, and optical sensors.
  • Applied in ultra-fast photodetectors and infrared imaging.
  • Used in nano-scale waveguides and fiber optics.

6. Coatings & Conductive Inks

  • Integrated into antistatic coatings, EMI shielding, and smart textiles.
  • Used in conductive pastes, flexible printed circuits, and RFID tags.
  • Enhances conductivity in 3D-printed electronics and sensors.

Pricing of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)

Pricing varies based on purity, functionalization, and bulk order quantity:

  • Standard Purity (90%-95%): $100 – $500 per gram
  • High Purity (≥99%): $600 – $2,500 per gram
  • Functionalized (COOH, OH, NH2, etc.): $800 – $3,500 per gram
  • Bulk Orders (Industrial Applications): $10,000 – $100,000 per kg

Factors Influencing Pricing

  • Purity level (Raw, Purified, Functionalized, Dispersed, etc.)
  • Chirality & Electrical Properties (Metallic vs. Semiconducting SWCNTs)
  • Surface Functionalization (Carboxyl (-COOH), Hydroxyl (-OH), Amine (-NH2))
  • Processing Method (Arc Discharge, Laser Ablation, Chemical Vapor Deposition – CVD)
  • Application-Specific Requirements (Medical, Electronics, Energy Storage, etc.)

Conclusion

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) are revolutionizing electronics, nanocomposites, energy storage, and biomedical applications. Their extraordinary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties make them a key material in the development of next-generation nanotechnology solutions.

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