Separation Mechanisms for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) Using Field-Flow Fractionation Techniques

The separation of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using Field-Flow Fractionation techniques is discussed, with an emphasis on separation mechanism using different techniques. Results from both modeling and experiment show that traditional flow-FFF can be used to produce length based separations of SWCNTs controlled by the particle diffusion coefficient [1-3]. Important differences between the separation mechanisms for spherical and rodlike particles are highlighted. Electric Field, Field-Flow Fractionation (EF-FFF) can be used to produce type separation (separation of metallic from semi-conducting tubes) by exploiting both hydrodynamic properties and the polarizability differences between metallic and semi-conducting tubes [4,5]. Differences between separation mechanisms for SWCNTs in both uniform and non-uniform electric fields are discussed.

References

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