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Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical carbon allotropes formed by rolling one-atom-thick graphene sheets into seamless hollow nanostructures. They are used in innovative materials, electronics, energy storage, conductive composites, coatings, sensors, and research applications.

MKnano delivers a wide variety of carbon nanotubes, such as single-walled CNTs, multi-walled CNTs, double-walled CNTs, functionalized CNTs, graphitized MWCNTs, vertically aligned CNT arrays, and carbon nanofibers for R&D and industrial applications. Researchers and engineers can choose CNTs according to purity, outer diameter, inner diameter, length, surface area, functional group, and dispersion format.

MKnano meets both research and industrial quality needs and offers technical documentation, worldwide delivery, and rapid shipping choices across the United States and Canada.

Engineer Summary & Quick Selection Guide: Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)

Synthetic carbon allotropes selected by structure, purity, dimensions, and surface chemistry.

Technical Specifications:

  • Identification: Formula: C | CAS No.: 308068-56-6
  • Formats: SWCNT, DWCNT, MWCNT, functionalized, graphitized, vertically aligned arrays, and nanofibers.
  • Dimensions: OD: <2 nm (SWCNTs) to >50 nm | Length: Short segments up to 30 µm.
  • Purity: Industrial to ultra-high (60% up to 99.9%+).

Application Guide:

  • MWCNTs: Bulk industrial applications (conductive composites, coatings, EMI shielding, batteries, supercapacitors).
  • SWCNTs & High-Purity: Advanced electronics, sensors, transparent conductive films, and high-performance R&D.
  • Functionalized & Dispersions: Recommended over dry powders when uniform dispersion and matrix compatibility are critical.

Procurement: Contact us for SDS, COA, bulk pricing, or engineering support.

Why Buy Carbon Nanotubes from MKnano?

MKnano helps researchers, engineers, and procurement teams find carbon nanotubes for demanding technological applications. If your need is for electrical conductivity, mechanical reinforcement, large surface area, dispersibility, or functionalized surface chemistry, MKnano has the CNT materials to meet your needs for early-stage R&D, laboratory testing, prototyping, and industrial development.

  • Wide CNT selection: Range of CNTs includes SWCNTs, MWCNTs, DWCNTs, functionalized CNTs, graphitized MWCNTs, aligned CNT arrays, and carbon nanofibers.
  • Research and industrial grades: Choices for high-purity research usage, industrial grade applications, conductive additives, composites, and coatings.
  • Specification-based selection: Select by purity, diameter, length, surface area, shape, and functional group.
  • Technical documentation: Request SDS, COA, and specification assistance for procurement and lab approval procedures.
  • North American buyer support: Supporting R&D, Manufacturing, Academic, and Industrial Buyers in the USA and Canada.

Types Of Carbon Nanotube

Different structures of CNTs provide different performance advantages. Refer to the table below for a quick reference to help you choose a grade of CNT for your application.

CNT Type Best-Fit Use Cases Selection Notes
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) Nanoelectronics, sensors, transparent conductive films, advanced research, and high-performance conductive networks. Useful where extremely small diameter, high conductivity, and research-grade performance are required.
Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNTs) Conductive plastics, coatings, composites, EMI shielding, batteries, rubber, and industrial additives. Common choice for cost-effective reinforcement and conductivity in bulk material systems.
Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (DWCNTs) Advanced research, conductive networks, composites, and applications need a balance between SWCNT and MWCNT behavior. Can provide higher structural stability than SWCNTs while retaining small-diameter benefits.
Functionalized CNTs Polymer composites, aqueous dispersions, coatings, biomedical research, and surface-modified formulations. Carboxyl, hydroxyl, or other functional groups can improve compatibility with selected matrices.
Graphitized MWCNTs High-purity conductive composites, thermal management, coatings, and specialty electronics applications. Higher graphitization can improve structural order and purity for demanding applications.
Vertically Aligned CNT Arrays Field emission, sensor platforms, microelectronics, interface materials, and research devices. Used when controlled orientation and surface architecture are important.
Carbon Nanofibers Composite reinforcement, conductive fillers, battery research, coatings, and industrial formulations. Useful when fiber morphology and reinforcement performance are required.

CNT Section Guide

Performance Requirement Recommended Carbon Nanotube(CNT Solutions)
Need conductivity in plastics, coatings, or elastomers Start with MWCNTs or functionalized MWCNTs.
Need high-purity material for electronics or sensor research Start with SWCNTs or graphitized CNT grades.
Need easier processing in liquids or coatings Start with CNT dispersions or functionalized CNTs.
Need battery or supercapacitor conductive additive research Review MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and graphitized options by purity and aspect ratio.
Need controlled orientation or device-level research Review vertically aligned CNT arrays.

Technical Selection Guide For CNT(Carbon Nanotube)

Specification Why It Matters Buyer / Engineering Consideration
Purity Influences electrical, mechanical, and research performance. Higher purity is preferred for electronics, sensors, biomedical research, and high-end R&D.
Outer Diameter (OD) Affects surface area, dispersion, conductivity network formation, and composite behavior. Smaller OD CNTs are often preferred for high-performance conductive networks and research applications.
Inner Diameter (ID) Relevant for MWCNT morphology, fluid/gas interaction, and specialty research uses. Review ID where internal channel behavior or morphology matters.
Length Impacts aspect ratio, mechanical reinforcement, conductivity, and processability. Longer CNTs may improve reinforcement; shorter CNTs may be easier to disperse.
Specific Surface Area (SSA) Indicates available surface for interaction, loading, adsorption, or electrochemical activity. Important for batteries, supercapacitors, catalysis, sensors, and composites.
Functional Group Improves compatibility with water, polymers, solvents, resins, or biological systems. Use carboxylated or hydroxylated CNTs when dispersion or surface bonding is a key requirement.
Dispersion Format Determines ease of processing in liquid formulations or coatings. CNT dispersions may reduce handling complexity compared with dry powders.
Documentation Supports compliance, safety review, and procurement approval. Request SDS, COA, and available characterization data where needed.

Documentation and Specification Support

Buyers can request SDS, COA, accessible characterization data, and grade-specific specs for technical evaluation, procurement approval, and lab safety protocols.

When contacting MKnano, please provide the target application, the desired CNT type, the purity range, the outer diameter, the length, the functional group, the processing technique, the quantity necessary, and the destination country. This allows the team to suggest a proper grade of CNT and documentation bundle.

Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are employed in many high-development sectors because of their conductivity, aspect ratio, mechanical strength, thermal behaviour, and large surface area. Applications generally include:

Batteries and Supercapacitors

In the research of batteries and supercapacitors, CNTs are employed as conductive additives and electrode support materials. The large aspect ratio can help in the formation of conductive networks for supporting charge transport in electrode systems.

Conductive Composites and Polymers

MWCNTs and functionalized CNTs are thoroughly analyzed as conductive fillers in polymers, resins, elastomers, coatings, and composite materials. The choice of CNTs relies on the compatibility with the matrix, dispersion, and desired conductivity.

Electronics and Nanoelectronics

In research, SWCNTs and high-purity CNT grades are used in nanoscale devices, transparent conductive films, sensors, interconnects, and flexible electronics.

EMI Shielding and Thermal Management

CNT-based composites can be utilized for applications requiring electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical conductivity, lightweight reinforcement, or enhanced thermal performance.

Coatings, Inks, and Advanced Materials

Functionalized CNTs and CNT dispersions are suitable for use in conductive coatings, antistatic coatings, printable inks, specific surface treatments, and advanced material formulations.

Biosensors and Gas Sensors

CNTs are often studied in sensor platforms because of their surface area and electrical features that allow signal response in chemical, gas, and biosensing environments.

Carbon Nanotube Buying Guide for Industrial Applications

Application Recommended CNT Focus Why It Matters
Battery electrodes and supercapacitors Conductive CNT grades with a suitable aspect ratio and dispersibility. Supports conductive network formation and charge transport research.
Polymer composites MWCNTs or functionalized CNTs. Helps balance conductivity, reinforcement, and matrix compatibility.
Conductive coatings and inks Functionalized CNTs or CNT dispersions. Improves processability in liquid systems and coating formulations.
Sensors and nanoelectronics SWCNTs or high-purity CNTs. Useful where small diameter, high surface area, and electrical response matter.
EMI shielding MWCNTs, graphitized MWCNTs, or conductive CNT blends. Supports lightweight conductive pathways in composites and coatings.
Academic and R&D testing Grade-specific CNTs with SDS/COA and characterization data. Supports reproducibility, safety review, and material comparison studies.

How to Choose the Right CNT Grade

  • Begin with the application: Diverse varieties of CNTs are commonly required for battery electrode additives, conductive polymers, transparent films, biosensors, EMI shielding, and structural composites.
  • Define the processing method: Dry powder mixing, solvent dispersion, aqueous dispersion, resin compounding, coating, or ink formulation will influence CNT selection.
  • Morphology selection: SWCNTs are favored for high-end electrical and research applications; MWCNTs are frequently feasible for composites, coatings, and industrial additives.
  • Review the specifications: Compare purity, OD, ID, length, SSA, and functionalization before ordering.
  • Request documentation: Request SDS, COA, and characterization data, if available, for procurement or lab approval.
  • Request Technical Support: If your application needs a special CNT grade or a dispersion format, please contact MKnano for help with specifications.

Struggling to find the right quality of carbon nanotube? Contact MKnano, a leading carbon nanotube supplier, to get SDS, COA, product specs, bulk price, or help for custom CNT needs.

Request a quote for research or industrial quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are carbon nanotubes used for?

A. Carbon nanotubes have applications in conductive composites, batteries, supercapacitors, coatings, sensors, electronics, EMI shielding, polymer reinforcement, and advanced materials research. The most suitable type of CNTs depends on the desired application and the needed criteria.

Q. What is the difference between SWCNT and MWCNT?

A. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are a kind of carbon with a single, graphene-like cylindrical wall, and they are widely employed in high-performance electronics, sensors, and research. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with numerous concentric walls are widely employed in composites, coatings, conductive polymers, and industrial formulations.

Q. Which carbon nanotube grade is best for battery electrodes?

A. The optimal carbon nanotube grade for battery electrodes is: Suitable conductivity, aspect ratio, purity, and dispersibility are used for battery electrode applications of CNTs. MWCNTs are often researched for use as conductive additives, while SWCNTs may be considered for high-performance research systems. The choice should be driven by the electrode chemistry, processing route, and desired loading level.

Q. Do you offer functionalized carbon nanotubes?

A. Yes. Functionalized CNTs, like carboxylated or hydroxylated grades, may increase compatibility with water, solvents, polymers, resins, or other matrices. The functionalization should be chosen depending on the formulation and the desired application.

Q. Can I request SDS or COA documentation?

A. Yes. Where available, MKnano can offer safety and specification paperwork, including SDS and COA. These documents are used for laboratory approval, procurement review, and safe handling procedures.

Q. Do you ship carbon nanotubes to the USA and Canada?

A. MKnano ships to customers all around the United States, Canada, and the world. Shipping options vary by product type, amount, paperwork requirements, and location.

Q. Can MKnano support custom CNT specifications?

A. MKnano can assist with technical queries about customized grades of CNTs, functionalized materials, dispersion formats, and application-specific needs. Contact the team with your desired purity, diameter, length, functional group, and application.