Design of a carbon nanotube based reactor – Exploring nanodimensions in chemistry and analytics

Abstract:
A novel chemical reactor design via a bottom-up-approach was possible based on the synthesis of a monolithic carbon nanotube structure. The new reactor design can be applied for synthetic as well as for analytical tasks. An integrated possibility to retrieve data from inside the reactor not only permits the monitoring of the activities during the synthesis operation, but also the use as a combined sensor device enhances its value. The reactor device is most promising for future catalyst, pharmaceutical or biomolecular screening as well as for chemical synthesis operations with simultaneous feedback tasks. Because of its lightweight and portable nature the device could further be applied, e.g. in combination with microcontrollers, for water- or blood-tests in countries where analytical equipment is not widespread or where the infrastructure is lacking. The concept will be explained and potential short- and long-term applications will be highlighted.