CAREER: Synthesis, Characterization and Discovery of Frontier Carbon Materials

Yoke Khin Yap, Michigan Technological University, DMR 0447555

1) Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have many extraordinary properties but can only be synthesized by a few groups in the world. After our success in growing high-quality BNNTs by a simple chemical vapor deposition technique [1, 2, 3], we have continued to study the mechanical properties of individual BNNTs by in-situ scanning probe microscopy inside a transmission electron microscopy system (SPM-TEM, Fig. 1). We found that BNNTs form V-shape ripples upon deformation and remain resilient after applying up to ~26% strains [4].

2) We have also created a simple nanotech filter (Fig. 2) that separates oil from its emulsion by gravitation force [5]. These filters are made by coatings of dense carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on stainless steel mesh (inset of Fig. 2). These CNTs repel water and allow oil to flow through the CNT-coated mesh.

3) We have demonstrated a novel catalyst-free induced formation of carbon nanorods with nitrogen contents up to 42 at. %. The carbon nitride nanorods may be used as the electrodes in platinum-free electrochemical fuel cells.

Fig. 1. A deformed BNNT on the SPM-TEM stage (left) with V-shape ripples (right).

V-shape ripples

Fig. 2. Nanotech filter that separate oil from its emulsion.

Fig. 3. Carbon nanorods induced by nitrogen incorporation.

1) A total of three postdoctoral researchers (two part-time), ten graduate students, and four undergraduate students were trained in theYoke Khin Yap research group during the past funding period.

2) One of the undergraduate research students was supported by our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and another was supported by our McArthur Research Internship. An undergraduate student received a fellowship from the Lunar and Planetary Science Academy (LPSA) at NASA, Goddard for his internship during summer 2011. This student was supported for his summer research in my group in 2010 by Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) and awarded as the Departmental Scholar in Physics during Spring 2011.

3) Professor Yap is organizing an international meeting (Symposium AA: Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Related Nanostructures) in the 2011 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall meeting in Boston. This is the largest symposium in the meeting with more than 470 submitted abstracts. Professor Yap will also edit a proceeding volume for the meeting and provide publication training of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students.

CAREER: Synthesis, Characterization and Discovery of Frontier Carbon Materials

Yoke Khin Yap, Michigan Technological University, DMR 0447555Education and Outreach to the Younger Generation and the Community