Physical properties of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Carbon nanotube science is a new exciting subject for all the carbon community. We now have in hand 1D graphite prototypes opening a new field for basic research and increasing the technological potential of traditional carbon fibers. In addition to many open fundamental questions, one of the main difficulties resides on the technological side, since large scale synthesis, high purity samples, and manipulation at the nanoscale are not yet fully developed. In this paper, we present recent development on different nanotube aspects: preparation and purification, electronic transport properties, electron spin resonance, mechanical behaviour of individual nanotubes, and field-emission.