Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes and its Biochemical applications for water treatment

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes were first discovered by Iijima in 1991, CNTs are constructed as hollow cylindrical tubes consisting of carbon (graphite) with a high aspect ratio and sp2 hybridization. Depending on the number of graphite layers, CNTs can be classified as single walled nanotubes (SWNTs), double-walled nanotubes (DWNTs), and multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs).The nature of the carbon atoms in CNTs produces amazing properties that are suitable for a variety of applications in the electronics, photonics, renewable energy, drug delivery and the biomedical sector. CNTs are used in a wide spectrum of applications due to their extraordinary physical and chemical properties, including an extremely large surface area to volume ratio, small diameter, hollow structure, exceptional optical and electrical properties, and exceptionally high tensile strength. The study include synthesis of CNT through chemical vapor deposition by using Fe/Co/Al2O3, and Fe/Co/ZrO2 as catalyst and acetylene as source of carbon, otherwise purification and oxidation of CNTs through wet method using nitric and sulfuric acid. The prepared MWCNTs are used in design tyrosinase electrochemical biosensor for detection of catchol as one of pollutant