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nanotimes News in Brief

11-08 :: August 2011

Nanofibers // Ions Control Shape Of Nanofibers Grown On Clear Substrate © Text: NCSU

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esearchers from North Carolina State University, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and CFD

Research Corporation, USA, have found a new way to develop straight carbon nanofibers on a trans- parent substrate. Growing such nanofiber coatings is important for use in novel biomedical research tools, solar cells, water repellent coatings and others. The technique utilizes a charged chromium grid, and relies on ions to ensure the nanofibers are straight, rather than curling – which limits their utility.

“This is the first time, that I know of, where someone has been able to grow straight carbon nanofibers on a clear substrate,” says Dr. Anatoli Melechko, an associate professor of materials science and enginee- ring at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research. “Such nanofibers can be used as gene- delivery tools. And a transparent substrate allows researchers to see how the nanofibers interact with cells, and to manipulate this interaction.”

Specifically, the nanofibers can be coated with genetic material and then inserted into the nucleus of a cell – for example, to facilitate gene therapy research. The transparent substrate improves visibility because researchers can shine light through it, crea- ting better contrast and making it easier to see what’s

going on. The researchers also learned that ions play a key role in ensuring that the carbon nanofibers are straight. To understand that role, you need to know how the technique works.

The nanofibers are made by distributing nickel nanoparticles evenly on a substrate made of fused silicon (which is pure silicon dioxide). The substrate is then overlaid with a fine grid made of chromium, which serves as an electrode. The substrate and grid are then placed in a chamber at 700° Celsius, which is then filled with acetylene and ammonia gas. The chrome grid is a negatively charged electrode, and the top of the chamber contains a positively charged electrode.

Electric voltage is then applied to the two electrodes, creating an electric field in the chamber that exci- tes the atoms in the acetylene and ammonia gas. Some of the electrons in these atoms break away, creating free electrons and positively charged atoms called ions. The free electrons accelerate around the chamber, knocking loose even more electrons. The positively charged ions are drawn to the negatively charged grid on the floor of the chamber. Meanwhi- le, the nickel nanoparticles are serving as catalysts, reacting with the carbon in the acetylene gas (C2

H2 )