Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics

Carbon Nanotubes

Cylindrical nanostructures composed of rolled-up single-layer graphene sheets possessing exceptional mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.

Governing formula Chiral Vector C_h = n a₁ + m a₂
SI unit nm (Nanotube Diameter)

In depth

Classified as Single-Walled (SWCNT) or Multi-Walled (MWCNT). Depending on chiral indices (n, m), carbon nanotubes behave as metallic conductors or high-mobility semiconductors, with tensile strength exceeding 50 GPa.

Examples in the real world

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT-FETs) and high-strength lightweight composite materials.