14th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies (NN17)

4-7 July 2017, Thessaloniki, Greece

Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotubes obtained from lignin and your
application in smart textiles

J.H.O.Nascimento 1,2, A.L.C. Tefilo2,3, G.J.M. Fechine4, F.R. Formiga5, R.L.Sivam2,3

1
PPGET, Center of Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
2
Chemical process, Nanoscience and Functional Textile Group, Center of Technology, Federal
University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
3
PPGEM, Center of Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
4
Graphene and Nano-materials Research Center Mackgraphe, Mackenzie Presbyterian
University, So Paulo, Brazil
5
Gonalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, BA-Brazil

Abstract: Nanotechnology products attract the interest of the industrial sectors due to the diverse applications.
Global investment is estimated to reach close to $45 trillion by 2017, of which $36 trillion will be for
nanomaterials alone. To obtain these nanomaterials, in particular, carbon nanotubes, the high cost of
production represents a barrier, making it difficult to synthesize on a large scale. Scientists around the world
are working intensively on synthesis methods and new applications of carbon nanotubes in pharmaceuticals,
semiconductor devices, energy systems and energy resources, new polymers, innovations in smart textiles,
agricultural resources, cosmetics and among other new Products with solutions based on nanotechnology,
impacting on social and economic resources. This work proposes a new methodology for the synthesis of
carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis, from the introduction of low cost lignocellulosic feedstock, such as palm
mesocarp fibers discarded by the palm oil industry, making this process economically sustainable. The
obtained material was characterized and analysed in terms of surface area, structure and physical-chemical
properties, observing the obtaining of carbon nanotubes with excellent properties and great potential of
application in supercapacitors. The method consisted in the use of lignin derived from natural fibers in a tubular
furnace at a temperature of 1000 C, under argon gas flow. The obtained material was characterized by Raman
spectroscopy, Transmission Electronic Microscopic, atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(ATR-IR), proving the Success in obtaining simple wall carbon nanotubes through this innovative method and
low cost, excellent for application in smart textiles.