U.S.-Portugal Collaborative Research: Characterization of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Environmental Implications and Energy Storage

Project Information

Principal Investigator	Sandeep Agnihotri
Institution
Project URL	View
Relevance to Implications	Some
Class of Nanomaterial	Engineered Nanomaterials
Impact Sector	Environment
Broad Research Categories	Characterization Risk Assessment
NNI identifier

Funding Information

Country	USA
Anticipated Total Funding	$4,500.00
Annual Funding	$2,250.00
Funding Source	NSF
Funding Mechanism	Extramural
Funding Sector	Government
Start Year	2006
Anticipated End Year	2008

Abstract/Summary

This proposal seeks support for a US PI, Mark Rood at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a graduate student, to work with Prof. P.B. Mota at the University of Lisbon in Portugal to develop a better understanding of the environmental implications of nanomaterials and to seek novel materials to store renewable fuels.

Scientific Merit. The collaboration is directed toward two tasks. The first task is molecular simulations describing the interactions between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and environmentally relevant molecules to engineer interactions between SWNTs and environmental relevant molecules to engineer controlled structures of SWNTs for specific applications. The second task is to determine hydrogen storage capacities of SWNTs chemically altered to have high adsorption capacities.

Broader Impacts. The full-fledged use of nanomaterials is expected within the next ten years, meaning that knowledge of their environmental aspects will be in great demand. The research also aims to find an inexpensive way to store energy. The success of this work will reduce the costs of other energy and environmental studies worldwide. The research collaboration will contribute to the globalization of scientific research and over an overseas experience to the participating graduate student.