Carbon nanotubes and thermal properties

Because of high thermal conductivity, the carbon nanotubes (CNT) present extensive application prospects, particularly in microelectronic, optoelectronic device heat sinks, and semiconductor lasers. In this letter, the single walled carbon nanotubes are prepared with high yield by DC arc discharged with Y/Ni as catalysts. The morphology, diameter distribution and microstructure of the carbon nanotubes are analyzed with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and resonant Raman spectroscopy. The thermal properties of carbon nanotubes are studied. It finds that the tube diameter increases with the temperature rising, and the large tube has the small thermal-sensitivity, suitable for applications as the heat dissipation in device.