Submission of Proposal under Star College Scheme

PREPARATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES FROM GRAPHITE POWDER


Requirments:
Graphite Powder (99.95% purity,45µm, Aldrich), Nitric acid(fuming), Sulfuric acid (AR Grade), Potassium chlorate (KClO₃), Ultra-sound sonicator, etc.


Procedure:
Add slowly 5.0 g. of graphite to a mixture of fuming nitric acid (25 cm3) & sulfuric acid (50 cm3) over a period of 30 minutes. After cooling the mixture down to 5⁰C in an ice bath, add 25 g of potassium chlorate slowly with stirring for 30 minutes. Heat the solution upto 70 ⁰C for 24 Hrs*. and then place in the air for 3 days. Most graphite precipitate at the bottom, but some reacted carbons float. Transfer the floating carbons into DI water. Stir the solution for 1 hour and filter it immediately. Dry the tubes and analyse. Characterize the CNT’s with the help of SEM, TEM results.


*Modifications to be tested with the procedure:
Ten times reduction in the time of heating by following a tech. of heating (at 70 ⁰C) + ultra-sonication of the reaction mixture.


Observation:


Conclusion:
A cheap and simple chemical method for producing CNT’s ( with an approx. diameter of 14-18nm) in liquid solution at 70 ⁰C without any pressure treatment.
Project: 10
Aim:
Determination of solubilities of inorganic solid in water at different temperatures (Greener approach)


Apparatus/ Instruments:
Analytical balance with accuracy of ±0.0001g, A grade standard flasks of capacity 5 ml, 10 ml and 25 ml (three number of eachBorosil make with certificate), small size glass funnels to fit in these flasks, wash bottle, Fine stainless steel spatula ( 5 numbers),thermostat with accuracy ±0.01°C, Thermometer with accuracy ±0.01°C, graduated test tubes.Glass distillation apparatus, Hot air drier for chemical apparatus(handy).