Short Nanotubes Joined End to End with Joining Fluid To Make Long Nanotubes

Fluids which make it possible to join a variety of nanotubes at their ends have been developed by Alan J. Russell Director, Director McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Sang B. Lee (Harrison City, PA) according to U.S. Patent Application 20100137541.

The method for joining nanotubes end-to-end includes contacting the nanotubes with a joining fluid. The joining fluid has at least one property that is different from at least one property associated with ends of the nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method further includes contacting the nanotubes with a first, treating fluid and removing the bulk first fluid before the nanotubes are contacted with the joining fluid. The joining fluid is immiscible in the treating fluid to effect end-to-end joining of the nanotubes.

Russell and Lee’s invention provides methods for variation and control of nanotube dimensions, and particularly length, via end-to-end joining of nanotubes without the use of templates. Further, their methods provide for permanently joining end-to-end nanotubes (for example, via the polymerization of polymerizable end-to-end joined nanotubes). 

Nanotubes suitable for joining include diacetylenic nanotubes, carbon nanotubes, silica nanotubes, porphyrin nanotubes, boron nitride nanotubes, tungsten disulfide nanotubes, zeolite nanotubes, polymeric lipid-based nanotubes, carbohydrate-based nanotubes, peptide nanotubes, WS2 nanotubes, vanadium oxide nanotubes, polyaniline nanotubes, Au nanotubes, gallium nitride nanotubes, Fullerene nanotubes, MoS2 nanotubes, InP nanotubes, rhenium(IV) sulfide nanotubes, steroid nanotubes, alumina nanotubes, titania nanotubes, tellurium nanotubes, NbS2 nanotubes, block copolymer nanotubes and combinations thereof.

FIG. 1A illustrates end-to-end joining of nanotubes such as diacetylenic nanotubes taking advantage of characteristic physiochemical properties of the nanotubes end. 

FIG. 1A illustrates end-to-end joining of nanotubes wherein the properties of the nanotubes ends are enhanced or altered by associating a first or treating substance with the nanotube ends.

FIG. 2A illustrates an SEM image of "short" nanotubes on a glass slide.

FIG. 2B illustrates an SEM image of "long" or end-to-end joined nanotubes on a glass slide.

FIG. 3A illustrates a TEM images of end-to-end joined nanotubes showing joints therebetween.

FIG. 3B illustrates another TEM images of end-to-end joined nanotubes showing joints therebetween.