In this paper, we present an alternative way to study theoretically low-frequency collective modes of DWNTs based on the continuous 2D membrane theory. We obtain aωRBLM (do , di) relation being an equivalent of the conventional formulas established for individual SWNTs. We compare our theoretical predictions with Raman data measured on individual index-identified suspended DWNTs. A good agreement between the experiment and the predictions of the continuous theory is found. We show that the coupling in individual DWNTs strongly depends on the interlayer distance, which is manifested in the frequency shifts of the radial breathing-like modes (RBLMs) with respect to the radial breathing modes (RBM) of the individual inner and outer tubes. In terms of characterization, the combination of Ramanspectroscopy data and the predictions of continuous membrane theory may give additional criteria for the index-identification of DWNTs.

Biological nano-channels expressed in living cells, where they ensure keyphysiological functions, feature outstanding efficiency in terms of both ionselectivity and conductivity. The latter generally exceeds, by 3 to 4 orderof magnitude, the values expected from classical hydrodynamics. This propertyof biological nano-channels may result from their pore width in the rangeof the Debye length (0.3-30 nm) and this currently grounds many researchworks aimed at developing the use of solid-state porous nano-materials for‘‘high-throughput’’ molecular and ion sensing or sorting, with applicationssuch as drug delivery, energy conversion, water desalination and others. Singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), which make nano-pores with welldefinedstructural and physical properties, may allow us to overcomingmany limitations of other nano-materials. The possibility of transportingions and molecules through these SWNTs has already been reported by othergroups (Lee et al., 2010, Science 329:1320; Liu et al., 2010, Science 327:64).In this context, we aim at studying the usableness of SWNT-incorporating devicesfor discriminating ions and single small biomolecules, using nucleotidesand amino acids as model compounds. Here, we will present the first part ofthis work, which consists in the fabrication of microfluidic devices incorporatingindividual SWNTs and the study of ion transport inside these devicesusing ionic current measurements, i.e. patch-clamp type. A study of the selectivityof these SWNTs will be also shown using different cations-basedelectrolytes.

We studied the oxygen etching of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes on silicon oxide substrates using atomic force microscopy and high-temperature environmental scanning electron microscopy. Our in situ observations show that carbon nanotubes are not progressively etched from their ends, as frequently assumed, but disappear segment by segment. Atomic force microscopy, before and after oxidation, reveals that the oxidation of carbon nanotubes on substrates proceeds through a local cutting that is followed by a rapid etching of the disconnected nanotube segment. Unexpectedly, semiconducting nanotubes appear more reactive under these conditions than metallic ones. We also show that exposure to electron and laser beams locally increases the chemical reactivity of carbon nanotubes on such substrates. These results are rationalized by considering the effect of substrate-trapped charges on the nanotube density of states close to the Fermi level, which is impacted by the substrate type and the exposure to electron and laser beams.

In this work, we develop the concept of evaporation-induced self-structuring as a novel approach forproducing organised films by exploiting cooperative physical and chemical interactions under far-fromequilibriumconditions (spin-coating), using sol–gel precursors with multiple functional groups. Thin filmsof self-structured silsesquioxane nanohybrids have been deposited by spin coating through the sol–gelhydrolysis and condensation of a bridged organosilane bearing self-assembling urea groups. The resultingnanostructure, investigated by FTIR, AFM and SEM, is shown to be highly dependent on the catalyst used(nucleophilic or acidic), and can be further modulated by varying the spinning rate. FTIR studies revealed thepresence of highly organised structures under acidic catalysis due to strong hydrogen bonding between ureagroups and hydrophobic interactions between long alkylene chains. The preferential orientation of the ureacross-links parallel to the substrate is shown using polarized FTIR experiments.

Thermo-mechanically durable industrial polymer nanocomposites have great demand as structural components. In this work, highly competent filler design is processed via nano-modified of micronic SiO2/Al2O3 particulate ceramics and studied its influence on the rheology, glass transition temperature, composite microstructure, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, micro hardness, and tribology properties. Composites were fabricated with different proportions of nano-modified micro-composite fillers in epoxy matrix at as much possible filler loadings. Results revealed that nano-modified SiO2/Al2O3 micro-composite fillers enhanced inter-particle network and offer benefits like homogeneous microstructures and increased thermal conductivity. Epoxy composites attained thermal conductivity of 0.8 W/mK at 46% filler loading. Mechanical strength and bulk hardness were reached to higher values on the incorporation of nano-modified fillers. Tribology study revealed an increased specific wear rate and decreased friction coefficient in such fillers. The study is significant in a way that the design of nano-modified mixed-matrix micro-composite fillers are effective where a high loading is much easier, which is critical for achieving desired thermal and mechanical properties for any engineering applications.