Specific surface area of carbon nanotubes and bundles of carbon nanotubes

The theoretical external specific surface area of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and of carbon nanotube bundles is calculated as a function of their characteristics (diameter, number of walls, number of nanotubes i n a bundle). The results are reported in diagrams and tables useful to corr elate the microscopic characteristics and the specific surface area of samp les. The calculated values are in good agreement with the microscopic chara cteristics and the specific surface area measurements which have been previ ously reported in the literature. The specific surface area is: a macroscop ic parameter which can be helpful to adjust the synthesis conditions of car bon nanotubes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.