What's the Difference Between Nanotubes and Graphene?

Nanotechnology has sparked a revolution in material science. This field is dominated by two names: graphene and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs). Both materials have some similarities; they are types of carbon, very strong and conductive, and transforming the industries.

However, despite their similarities, they are not identical. In the case you are asking yourself what the difference is between graphene and nanotubes, or which is superior to use in certain application cases, then this article will provide you with clear-cut, easy-to-understand answers.

What is Carbon Nanotechnology?

In carbon nanotechnology, scientists use carbon-based nanomaterials like CNTs, graphene, nanodiamonds, and fullerenes at the nanoscale to create new technologies. Furthermore, it involves designing and manipulating atomic structures that are only a few nanometers in size to develop advanced materials.

What Are Nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are small, cylindrical structures that are manufactured from carbon atoms bonded together in a hexagonal lattice pattern. Apart from that, they may be thought of as a sheet of graphene rolled into tiny cylinders.

• Single-Walled CNTs (SWCNTs): A cylinder is made out of one layer of graphene.
• Multi-Walled CNTs (MWCNTs): This involves several sheets of graphene rolled into concentric cylinders.

 

CNTs are almost 100 times stronger than steel and much lighter. They are also electrically distinct and may serve as a metal or semiconductor according to their makeup.

What is a Carbon Nanotube Used For?

Carbon nanotube have played their role in the field of optics, electronics, and other material sciences. Similarly, carbon nanotubes have positive results in drug delivery, sensing, and sweater treatment. Despite this, functionalization of the carbon nanotube material surface can result in highly soluble materials and their further derivative with molecules, which makes it compatible with biological systems.

What Is Graphene?

Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon arranged in a flat, two-dimensional honeycomb structure. Additionally, graphene was discovered in 2004, and it has rapidly become known as the wonder material.

• Thickness: It is famous as the thinnest material to have a one-atom-thick sheet.
• Transparency: It is entirely transparent to other materials, which is why it is the preferred choice for the optoelectronics field.
• Strength: It is considered the strongest material due to having 200 times more durability than steel
• Conductivity: Excellent electrical and thermal characteristics.

 

Thus, graphene’s flexibility and strength make it an ideal and innovative material for use in industries including electronics, coatings, and energy storage.

Read Also: How Much Does Graphene Cost?

Graphene vs. Carbon Nanotubes

Basically, both are carbon-based materials, but their structure and manufacturing methods still make it different from others. Let’s examine the properties of both to understand their distinction from each other clearly.
**Read Also:** A Detailed Overview of Graphene Nanoplatelets

Structural Difference:

• Graphene has a flat atomic sheet in a hexagonal honeycomb-like lattice.
• Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical tubes that form after rolling the graphene sheet.

 

Electrical Properties:

• Graphene has very high conductivity and electron mobility and is useful for ultrafast transistors.
• CNTs can behave as either metals or semiconductors, enabling their application in a wide range of nanoelectronics.

 

Applications:

• The significant use of graphene is in the field of transparent screens, flexible screens, sensors, and coatings.
• On the other hand, CNt’s use is in nanodevices, such as aerospace composites and medical conductive polymers.

 

How Are Carbon Nanotubes Made?

Time to know how nanotubes are made? The production of CNTs is performed by different means, which include the controlled growth of carbon atoms:

• CVD: Chemicals, Hydrocarbon gases are decomposed on a catalyst substrate.
• Arc discharge: When high current is passed between graphite electrodes, carbon plasma is produced.
• Laser Ablation: An intense laser is used to ablate the graphite to create nanotubes.
  Both approaches affect the quality, purity, and type (SWCNT vs. MWCNT) of the produced nanotubes.

 

Read Also: Graphene Facts

How Is Graphene Made?

There are also various ways of manufacturing graphene:

• Mechanical Exfoliation: Graphene is peeled off graphite (inverse engineering, in labs).
• CVD Graphene: Graphene is produced on copper foil, which is useful in electronics.
• Demand: Squeezing the sheets of the graphene oxide to form the sheets of graphene.
• Liquid Phase Exfoliation: Dissociating graphite into graphene sheets in solvents.

 

ACS Material is one of the best graphene product suppliers that provides CVD graphene, graphene oxide, and Graphene on a PET Substrate, benefiting scientists and industries.

Graphene oxide and Graphite oxide:

Functionalized derivatives of graphene are graphene oxide or Graphite Oxide. The oxygen groups present in them render them more readily dispersible in solvents; they are important to:

• Conductive coating and links
• High-capacity Supercapacitor
• Membranes are used in the purification of water.

 

Another derivative is Carboxyl Graphene, which provides better bonding in composite processes.

Read Also: Graphene vs. Graphite: What’s the Difference?

Introduction to Carbon Nanotechnology

Carbon nanotechnology is a branch of nanotechnology that deals with the manufacturing and usage of carbon nanomaterials such as graphene and CNTs. The emerging discipline is concerned with developing:

• Nanoelectronics for faster computing.
• High-capacity energy storage systems.
• Targeted Drug delivery and medical implants.
• Ultra-strong aerospace and defensive composites.

 

Both graphene and carbon nanotubes form the foundation of this field.

Read Also: Carbon Nanomaterials

Carbon Nanotube Uses:

NTCs are already changing the face of industries:

• Electronics: Diodes, Transistors, sensors.
• Energy: Improves the performance of lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.
• Raw materials: Ceramics, metals, and polymer reinforcement.
• Medicine: Serves as a Nanoscale drug carrier and biosensor.

 

This property of strength and conductivity is unique, and thus CNTs are sure to be central to the new technologies.

Read Also: Graphene: A Complete Chemical History

Carbon Fiber vs. Graphene

It's time to see how both materials are strong and lightweight, but still preferable for their different applications.

• Carbon Fiber: It is highly considered for use in aerospace and automobiles. Also, it is powerful but maintains lower conductivity and needs to maintain a network with other composite materials.
• Graphene: It’s famous for being lighter, stronger, and more conductive, and has future prospects in electronics.

 

Once the issue of graphene production scales is resolved at an affordable price, it may outperform carbon fiber in many fields.

Read Also: What Graphene Means for the Environment?

Graphene Nanotubes: The Hybrid Edge

The graphene nanotubes combine the unique advantages of both CNTs and graphene. They provide:

• High conductivity: Electronics applications.
• Extraordinary mechanical strength in composites.
• Industrial coating compatibility with plastics.

 

This composite is undergoing trials in flexible electronics, high-strength composites, and energy equipment.

Applications of Graphene

The applications of graphene have much more than laboratory use:

• Adaptable Electronics: Transparent touchscreen and wearables.
• Energy storage: The supercapacitors are ultra-fast-charged and can be used as energy storage.
• Medical Devices: Implants and Biosensors.
• Coatings: Conductive and anti-corrosion coating.

 

Despite this, the availability of suppliers such as ACS Material to Supply Graphene on Copper Foil, PET, and oxide form has unlimited opportunities that can be experimented upon by the researchers.

Read Also: Graphene and Its Application in Electronics

Carbon Nanotube applications

CNTs are equally versatile for sports equipment, such as tennis rackets and bicycles, that are lighter and stronger.

• Aerospace: Spacecraft heat-resistant composites.
• Water Treatment: CNT membranes for purification.
• Auto: Conductive, lightweight, fuel-efficient composites.

 

The CNTs are leading the way to smarter, lighter, and efficient designs.

Why Do You Choose Us for Graphene and Nanotubes?

We are offering The Best Quality of Graphene Series Products and provide:

• Graphene oxide Inks and Coatings.
• For electronic research, you get graphene on copper foil as well.
• Graphene has superior applications in CVD and composites based on carboxyl graphene.
• Flexible electronics on graphene on PET substrates.

 

We are known as one of The Greatest Graphene Suppliers Worldwide and a CVD Graphene Supplier. Be in touch with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Read Also: Graphene Transfer

The Future of Graphene and Nanotubes

The future looks promising for both materials: graphene will transform the field of flexible electronics and 5G devices. Meanwhile, new industries will unlock more possibilities with the help of hybrid materials such as graphene nanotubes.

Final words

The above discussion explains that graphene and Carbon Nanotube might seem in general. However, they differ due to potential distinctions. Graphene’s flexible structure makes it a precision option to use in coatings and electronics. In contrast, the cylindrical ability of nanocarbons makes them a worthy material for medicine and composites.

Read Also: CVD Graphene: An Overview

Nonetheless, you need to choose a Reliable Graphene Oxide Supplier who offers quality products with the best prices and a consistent supply. ACS Material boasts of the supply of both graphene and CNT products, serving researchers, innovators, and industries the world over.

Moreover, they offer the best quality of your choice when it comes to nanotechnology, whether you require CVD graphene suppliers. Also, follow us on Facebook and X(Twitter) to get the latest news and updates.

FAQs

Q1: What are nanotubes made of?

Carbon nanotubes consist of a cylinder structure of carbon atoms only.

Q2: What are the ways of making carbon nanotubes?

They are made by chemically vapor depositing (CVD), arc discharge, or by using lasers.

Q3: What is the application of graphene oxide?

Graphene oxide finds various applications in coatings, conductive inks, membranes, and flexible energy devices.

Q4: How is graphene different from CNTs?

Graphene is two-dimensional, whereas CNTs are hollow. This offers CNTs the advantage of better tensile strength, while it offers graphene the advantage of better flexibility.

Q5: Where can I purchase the products of graphene?

ACS Material is a supplier of one of the best products of graphene, which includes graphene on substrates, CVD graphene, and graphene oxide.