(379b) 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

1. Phelan Jr., F.R. & Bauer, B.J. Simulation of nanotube separation in field-flow fractionation (FFF). Chemical Engineering Science 62, 4620-4635 (2007). 2. Phelan Jr., F.R. & Bauer, B.J. Comparison of steric effects in the modeling of spheres and rodlike particles in field-flow fractionation. Chemical Engineering Science 64, 1747-1758 (2009). 3. Chun, J., Fagan, J.A., Hobbie, E.K. & Bauer, B.J. Size Separation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes by Flow-Field Flow Fractionation. Analytical Chemistry 80, 2514-2523 (2008). 4. Phelan Jr., F.R., Kuruvilla, S. & Bauer, B.J. Steric Mode Separation of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Using Electric Field, Field-Flow Fractionation. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics submitted, (2010). 5. Phelan Jr., F.R. & Bauer, B.J. Separation of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) by Type using Dielectrophoretic, Field-Flow Fractionation. in preparation (2010).