Researchers from NIST, the University of Pennsylvania, and Bilkent University in Turkey have made theoretical discoveries suggesting that strategically placing hydrogen on the exterior of zigzag nanotubes could transform them into superconducting materials. The study indicates that by altering the structure of carbon nanotubes, they can be turned from insulators to metals, potentially creating “four wire nanocables” with high electron density.
The team’s calculations show that the electronic structure and properties of nanotubes can be controlled through various configurations and hydrogen bonding patterns. Previous studies have also shown that mechanical deformation of nanotubes can alter their chemical and electrical properties, suggesting a reversible process to engineer band gaps.
If these predictions are verified through experiments, the findings could lead to new types of carbon-based materials and novel devices optimized for specific applications. The research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey.
Keywords: Nanotubes, Superconducting, Properties, Electrons, Materials
