CIRIMAT works on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for more than 10 years [1], using a catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) technique developed in the laboratory. Our know-how range from the design of the catalyst (we developed the 1st MgO-based catalyst, easy to remove [2]) to the synthesis of CNT and up to their functionalisation (grafting, adsorption, preparation of suspensions - see also eflahaut.nano.free.fr). Our recent achievement is the synthesis of double-walled CNT (DWNT) in the gram-scale [3]. DWNT combine numerous advantages, with morphology and properties essentially very close to those of SWNT (apart from the electrical point of view as they are mainly of metallic type) and an efficient protection of the inner tube by the outer one (especially important in the case of covalent functionalisation, to maintain mechanical and electrical properties). CIRIMAT can provide partners with DWNT samples (raw, functionalised, in dispersion, etc).
The laboratory also has a long experience of the characterisation of CNT by different techniques including electron-microscopy (SEM, TEM), XRD, IR and Raman spectroscopy, measurement of specific surface areas (BET), etc. and has access to other techniques such as AFM for example, or even electrical characterisation by means of local collaborations.
Finally, the CIRIMAT has developed these last years many collaborations with biologists in France (INSERM [4], University Paul Sabatier, EcoLab [5]) but also at the international level (Université of Oxford [6-7], City University Hong-Kong [8]). A PhD student is currently working on the environmental impact of DWNT (P. Landois, co-direction between CIRIMAT and EcoLab) and E. Flahaut is the coordinator of a French "ANR" (National Research Agency) programme (Health and Environment, SEST 2006) called "NTCTOX" which aims at investigating the respiratory toxicity of DWNT and their environmental impact.
CIRIMAT is also partner of the Marie Curie RTN "CARBIO" (www.carbio.eu) which aims at using CNT filled with magnetic materials as cancer-treatment agents (hyperthermia).
Collaboration with EcoLab keeps the door open for new studies in the field of the ecotoxicology of DWNT (and other kinds of CNT) towards the aqueous compartment (amphibians).