Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes

The transport of ions through carbon nanotube systems has been studied extensively. However, there is limited evidence of ion transport via nanotube sidewalls. Using a novel host-guest redox active hybrid material, insight into the mechanisms of ion transport within carbon nanotubes can be assessed...

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Main Author: Mortiboy, Beth
Format: Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/69719/
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author Mortiboy, Beth
author_facet Mortiboy, Beth
author_sort Mortiboy, Beth
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description The transport of ions through carbon nanotube systems has been studied extensively. However, there is limited evidence of ion transport via nanotube sidewalls. Using a novel host-guest redox active hybrid material, insight into the mechanisms of ion transport within carbon nanotubes can be assessed using very simple electrochemical techniques. Here we utilise a system whereby polyoxometalates (POMs) are encapsulated within single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The POM acts as a redox probe and can measure the effectiveness of ion transport throughout the material. The diffusion of large cationic species (Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+) throughout the system is limited and the mechanism of their transport can be confirmed using a simple blocking technique, whereby the open ends of the SWNT become inaccessible to such ions. The kinetic isotope effect of proton and deuteron transport throughout the systems was found to be 1.32 and 1.21 for two aqueous acidic electrolyte systems. This value is significantly lower than what is reported for other systems focusing on the permeation of these ions through similar one-atom thick membranes. It can be concluded that for practical application within electrochemical systems, the rate of transport of both H+ and D+ is sufficiently fast and that the permeation of these ions through the nanotube system is not rate limiting.
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format Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
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spelling nottingham-697192023-10-25T12:15:26Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/69719/ Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes Mortiboy, Beth The transport of ions through carbon nanotube systems has been studied extensively. However, there is limited evidence of ion transport via nanotube sidewalls. Using a novel host-guest redox active hybrid material, insight into the mechanisms of ion transport within carbon nanotubes can be assessed using very simple electrochemical techniques. Here we utilise a system whereby polyoxometalates (POMs) are encapsulated within single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The POM acts as a redox probe and can measure the effectiveness of ion transport throughout the material. The diffusion of large cationic species (Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+) throughout the system is limited and the mechanism of their transport can be confirmed using a simple blocking technique, whereby the open ends of the SWNT become inaccessible to such ions. The kinetic isotope effect of proton and deuteron transport throughout the systems was found to be 1.32 and 1.21 for two aqueous acidic electrolyte systems. This value is significantly lower than what is reported for other systems focusing on the permeation of these ions through similar one-atom thick membranes. It can be concluded that for practical application within electrochemical systems, the rate of transport of both H+ and D+ is sufficiently fast and that the permeation of these ions through the nanotube system is not rate limiting. 2022-12-12 Thesis (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en cc_by https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/69719/1/MPhil%20Thesis%20BM%20with%20corrections.pdf Mortiboy, Beth (2022) Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes. MPhil thesis, University of Nottingham. ions ion transport carbon nanotubes nanostructures
spellingShingle ions
ion transport
carbon nanotubes
nanostructures
Mortiboy, Beth
Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title_full Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title_fullStr Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title_short Exploring Cation Diffusion to Redox Species Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotubes
title_sort exploring cation diffusion to redox species encapsulated in carbon nanotubes
topic ions
ion transport
carbon nanotubes
nanostructures
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/69719/