Carbon nanotubes are not widely used for several reasons. Firstly, at macroscopic scales, carbon nanotubes often do not exhibit their fantastic mechanical properties and instead behave more like brittle, soft fibers similar to graphite fibers. This makes them easily cut by harder materials like steel.
Additionally, when considering the green nature of a material, it is important to compare it with alternative materials. Carbon nanotubes, as a conductive carbon additive, can be compared to carbon black and graphene. Carbon black typically has higher CO2 emissions and higher loading requirements in composites compared to carbon nanotubes and graphene. A study by Michelin in 2020 showed that carbon nanotube-reinforced tires had lower nanoparticle releases compared to other nanocarbons. However, graphene production methods also have their own issues, such as energy inefficiency, high water requirements, and the use of harsh chemicals.
While carbon nanotubes may not be widely used, they have the potential to enable several green technologies. They can be used in applications such as concrete, films, electronics, and especially in lithium-ion batteries. Carbon nanotubes play a key role as conductive additives in lithium-ion batteries, particularly at the cathode as part of the conductive paste. They have been studied for their potential in next-generation batteries like lithium-air or lithium-sulfur batteries, as well as lithium metal anodes.
To determine if carbon nanotubes can be considered a green material, all aspects of their life cycle, from raw materials to production processes to final utilization, must be considered. Comparisons with other conductive carbon additives should also be made. It is important to ensure that the performance, price point, and other metrics of carbon nanotubes are comparable to traditional production methods.
In conclusion, carbon nanotubes are not widely used due to their behavior as brittle, soft fibers at macroscopic scales. However, they have the potential to enable green technologies, particularly in lithium-ion batteries. The green nature of carbon nanotubes depends on their life cycle and comparisons with alternative materials.
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