Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2014-2015
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Study of carbon nanotube/metal oxide nanoparticle as unique nanocomposite
Project Leader(s):
Dr. John Kennedy (GNS Science), Dr. Vladimir Golovko (UC)
Host Department/Organization:
GNS Science
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Dr. Vivian Fang
GNS Science
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
The high potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for applications in functional and biomedical
devices is based on their unique morphology and outstanding mechanical/electrical properties.
Metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide
(WO3), etc, have exhibited remarkably different chemical properties compared to macroscopic
crystals. The combination of CNTs and metal oxide nanoparticles has led to interesting novel
composite materials and devices with relevant properties for a variety of functional and biomedical
applications.
CNT/MO nanocomposites are new generation materials with interesting properties that not only
combine the properties CNTs and MOx but also hold new properties caused by the interaction
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between them. In addition, combine these materials in a composite can overcome some
disadvantages such as the aggregation of CNTs in aqueous media will be solved by surface
functionalization. As a result, the composites attractive wide applications compared with the
isolated nanoparticles because CNTs act as carrier to stabilize the nanoparticles, maintaining their
integrity. The CNT/MO nanocomposites are found to be effective adsorbent for the removal of
heavy metal ions and hazardous organic chemicals from water and also as catalysts.
Several methods will be explored to synthesize this nanocomposite structure. Specifically, the
student will investigate the in situ fabrication of CNTs/TiO2 (or CNTs/ZnO) nanocomposite by arc
discharge method. Arc discharge is a simple, cost-effective, high-throughput technique that can be
easily implemented and adapted for mass production via continuous process. The arc discharge
approach has a number of advantages, such as there being no need for large volumes of solvents,
nor toxic by-products (gas phase hydrolysis of TiCl4 used in industry, leading to four equivalents of
HCl released per one equivalent of TiO2). This technique has been successfully applied at GNS
Science to a range of oxide materials (ZnO, WO3).
Morphology, structure and composition studies of the nanocomposites will be characterized by
electron microscopy (UC), Powder X-ray diffraction (Callaghan Innovation) and Proton Induced Xray Emission (GNS). It is expected that the coverage of metal oxide nanoparticles to the CNTs will
have an impact on the photocatalytic property, energy storage property and hybrid sensing property
of nanocomposites.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, Lower Hutt (predominantly)
UC Chemistry
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
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Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
The student will be working in the multi-disciplinary collaborative environment in two laboratories
both of which are part of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.
Specifically, the student will gain an understanding of modern aspects of nanofabrication and will
systematically study synthesis of very attractive nanocomposites using unique cutting-edge arcdischarge system (GNS). Materials synthesised by the student will be characterised using a range of
techniques available at both GNS and UC. The materials obtained will be tested for photostability
(aligned with MBIE-funded project on IR-reflective coatings) and hybrid sensing properties.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
Post-honours (or very strong pre-honours) with specialization in Chemistry, Engineering or Physics.
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