Ball-milling of graphite and muilti-wall carbon nanotubes.

The structural modification of graphite and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) during ball-milling was examined. A comparison of structures after ball-milling was made between graphite and MWCNTs. The ball milling parameters were also examined: milling atmospheres, milling methods, milling mode and the addition of additive materials. In some experiments, hard materials such as alumina or silica were added to graphite and MWCNTs as additives to see whether graphite and MWCTs were shortened by ball-milling. The ball-milling of graphite and MWCNTs with liquid additives reduced the agglomeration of MWCNT and transformed graphite to graphenes. The ball-milling of MWCNTs under impact mode usually resulted in the formation of an amorphous phase, whereas that under friction mode induced the fattening of nanotubes. The results showed that a variety of carbon nanomaterials could be obtained by the proper controlling of ball milling. The structurally modified graphite and MWSNTs are expected to be utilized for energy storage application.

Effects of process control agent on the synthesis of AIN-carbon nanotube by ball-milling.

Aluminum and its alloy are of importance due to high specific strength. In particular, aluminum matrix composites have good corrosion resistance and mechanical property at high temperatures. However, enhanced mechanical strength and wear resistance via proper heat treatments are strongly required for many structural applications. For this purpose, we synthesized carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced aluminum matrix composites by employing a new method. We employed controlled ball-milling and sintering: the use of some specific process control agents (PCAs) for ball-milling and sintering in a specific atmosphere. The use of our PCAs was beneficial both for homogeneous mixing and for the formation of hard dispersoids. Hardened layers was formed at the surface of the present aluminum-CNT composites as a result of reaction of aluminum with PCAs and nitrogen in the processing atmosphere. The resulting materials after sintering showed interesting mechanical properties, combined with surface hardening. The hardening mainly stems from the formation of Al-N-O phase at the surface of specimens.