In a major breakthrough for the field of nanotechnology, scientists from Peking University have made significant progress in the controlled growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), a critical step toward advancing carbon-based electronics. For years, researchers around the world have struggled to develop a reliable method for producing SWCNTs with specific structural properties, which has limited the practical application of this promising material in next-generation electronic devices.
On June 26th, the research team led by Professor Li Yan at Peking University announced a groundbreaking achievement. They successfully developed a novel tungsten-based alloy catalyst that enables the precise and controllable synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal *Nature*, marking a major milestone in the field.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes are essentially rolled-up sheets of graphene, forming hollow cylindrical structures. Depending on how they are curled—known as their "chirality"—they can exhibit either metallic or semiconducting properties. This unique characteristic makes them highly attractive for use in advanced electronic applications, but it also presents a major challenge when it comes to their controlled production.
Since their discovery in 1991 by Japanese scientist Sumio Iijima, carbon nanotubes have been the focus of intense global research. Despite over two decades of effort, achieving selective growth of SWCNTs with a specific chirality has remained an unsolved problem. However, the new catalyst developed by Professor Li's team offers a promising solution.
The key to their success lies in the unique properties of the tungsten-based alloy. The nano-particles used in the catalyst have an extremely high melting point, allowing them to maintain their crystalline structure even under the high temperatures required for carbon nanotube growth. Moreover, the catalyst’s special design enables the formation of SWCNTs with well-defined structures and consistent properties.
This development is particularly important because, as highlighted by the International Semiconductor Roadmap Committee in 2009, carbon-based electronics—especially those based on carbon nanotubes and graphene—are seen as a potential revolution in the next 10 to 15 years. With the ability to control the growth of these nanotubes, researchers are now one step closer to realizing the full potential of carbon-based devices.
Thanks to this innovative approach, the future of carbon-based electronics looks brighter than ever, and the path toward commercial applications is becoming clearer.
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