Advances in the science and technology of carbon nanotubes and their composites: a review

Since their first observation nearly a decade ago by Iijima (Iijima S. Heli cal microtubules of graphitic carbon Nature. 1991; 354:56-8), carbon nanotu bes have been the focus of considerable research. Numerous investigators ha ve since reported remarkable physical and mechanical properties for this ne w form of carbon. From unique electronic properties and a thermal conductiv ity higher than diamond to mechanical properties where the stiffness, stren gth and resilience exceeds any current material, carbon nanotubes offer tre mendous opportunities for the development of fundamentally new material sys tems. In particular, the exceptional mechanical properties of carbon nanotu bes, combined with their low density, offer scope for the development of na notube-reinforced composite materials. The potential for nanocomposites rei nforced with carbon tubes having extraordinary specific stiffness and stren gth represent tremendous opportunity for application in the 21st century. T his paper provides a concise review of recent advances in carbon nanotubes and their composites. We examine the research work reported in the literatu re on the structure and processing of carbon nanotubes, as well as characte rization and property modeling of carbon nanotubes and their composites. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.