Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials

at Wake Forest University

 
 

Arc Growth Methods

Methods of arc production in BN, Carbon, and doped carbon nanotubes are available within the facility.  Equipment includes a "Large scale" kratchmer system capable of gm/day quantities in both MWNT and SWNT formats.


Chemical Vapor Deposition

Most of the growth effort at NANOTECH centers on new CVD techniques.  Doped carbon nanotubes, nanowires, and patterned systems of nanoparticles can generally be created at temperature between 750 C and 1100 C.  Substrates we use are silica and sapphire, usually, though more electro-active ceramics are now under study.


Pulsed Ablation

High energy, pulsed laser/plasma ablation and growth of nanostructures is currently under development at the Center.  Based on high power YAG lasers and pulsed plasma torch: carbon, oxide, and other ceramic materials can be created in nanophase.


Polymer Synthesis

The Nanotech Center has a synthesis lab for conjugated polymers used in OLED and OPV device studies. Instrumentation includes:


Multiple solvent stills

Glovebox for air/moisture sensitive reactions

Biotage Flash 100 Flash Chromotagraphy system

Centrifuge

Ultra-fine Scales

A large assortment of glassware and reactors

Cold chemical storage

Rotovap

Closed circuit chiller system


Electrospinning

Single injector electrospinning with mandrel or plate takeup system.



 

The creation of new materials or materials structures with designed order at the nanoscale is fundamental to what NANOTECH does.  Whether it is controlling atomic order at the interfaces between nanoscale thin films, doped variants of carbon nanotubes, or multicomponent electrospun tissue scaffolding materials, there are a number of programs within the labs of individual Center affiliates.

The Nanotech Center can help creating new nanomaterials and meta-ordering.  The synthesis lab has a range of growth capabilities, as well as facilities for the creation of new polymers.  Access to the facility can be arranged by contacting the facilities manager: bmcguirt.nano@gmail.com

Synthesis Labs

Images courtesy of Carroll Group