We report an increase in superconducting temperature of magnesium diboride (MgB2) by minute single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) inclusions. The SWCNTs concentration was varied from 0.1wt% to 1.0wt%. The temperature dependence resistivity of sintered MgB2- SWCNTs composites containing 0.1wt%, 0.5wt% and 1.0wt% were measured and compared with that of the pure MgB2. The superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of the MgB2 increased from 40 K to as high as 42.4 K for the MgB2 containing 0.5wt% of SWCNTs. The room temperature resistivity ratio (RRR) shows dependence on the sample composition. The temperature width (ΔT) decreases with increasing SWCNT content from 0.1wt% to 1.0wt%. The normal state resistivity data were fitted with the generalized Block-Grüneisen function obtaining a Debye temperature of ∼ 900K.

The temperature dependent resistance R(T) and thermopower S(T) of sintered single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and magnesium diboride (MgB2) composites containing 5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt% of SWCNTs have been measured and compared to their pure counterparts. The thermopower of both MgB2 (in the normal state) and SWCNT remain positive over the entire temperature range (10K to 300K) with room temperature values being ∼ 8μV/K and 57μV/K, respectively. The thermopower of the sintered composites decreased with decreasing temperature and switched from positive to negative near 70K. The superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of the samples ranges from 38K-41K. The room-temperature resistance ratio (RRR) is seen to depend on the sample composition. The temperature width (ΔT) is observed to increase with increasing SWCNT concentration. The normal state resistance data were fitted with the generalized Block-Grüneisen function obtaining Debye temperature of ∼ 900K.

Electrochemically mediated charge transfer has been primarily studied by its effect on the surface conductivity of diamond. In this paper we show that the effect is not restricted to diamond, but may occur in other material systems as well, for example, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes and gallium nitride.

A new method for purifying single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using microwave heating is developed. The microwaves couple to the residual metal catalyst, raising significantly the local temperature leading to both the oxidation and rupturing of the carbon passivation layer over the metal catalyst particles and sintering. With this protective carbon coating weakened or removed, a mild acid treatment in HCl is then sufficient to remove most of the metal in the sample, leaving the nanotubes in tact. Results from transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM & SEM), Raman spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric studies are discussed.

A thermoelectric “nano-nose” has been built from tangled bundles of single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The detector's thermoelectric response [.Delta]S is sensitive to the logarithmic energy derivative of the additional bundle resistivity ([.rho]a) which is identified with the adsorbed molecules. The response is therefore specific to the details of the interaction of the adsorbed molecule with the nanotube wall; even gases such as He, N2 and H2 can be easily detected. Plots of [Δ]S vs. [ρ]a are sensitive to whether oxidation or reduction of the tube wall is taking place, and to whether the gas molecule is physisorbed or chemisorbed. The utility of the sensor stems from the amphoteric nature of the SWNT, the quasi-one-dimensional character of the charge conduction and the high specific surface area of SWNTs.