title: High Aspect Ratio Carbon Nanotube Membranes Decorated with Pt Nanoparticle Urchins for Micro Underwater Vehicle Propulsion via H2O2 Decomposition.
abstract: The utility of unmanned micro underwater vehicles (MUVs) is paramount for exploring confined spaces, but their spatial agility is often impaired when maneuvers require burst-propulsion. Herein we develop high-aspect ratio (150:1), multiwalled carbon nanotube microarray membranes (CNT-MMs) for propulsive, MUV thrust generation by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The CNT-MMs are grown via chemical vapor deposition with diamond shaped pores (nominal diagonal dimensions of 4.5 × 9.0 μm) and subsequently decorated with urchin-like, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles via a facile, electroless, chemical deposition process. The Pt-CNT-MMs display robust, high catalytic ability with an effective activation energy of 26.96 kJ mol(-1) capable of producing a thrust of 0.209 ± 0.049 N from 50% [w/w] H2O2 decomposition within a compact reaction chamber of eight Pt-CNT-MMs in series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University , 435 Crabtree, Provo, Utah 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University , 2104 Black Engineering, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Bolin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University , 2104 Black Engineering, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mootz
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geder
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pruessner
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Melde
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University , N283 Eyring Science Center, Provo, Utah 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Vanfleet
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States.
authors.forename: Igor L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Medintz
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University , 435 Crabtree, Provo, Utah 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Iverson
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University , 2104 Black Engineering, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Claussen
keywords: carbon nanotube; hydrogen peroxide; microchannel; nanoparticle; platinum; thrust; underwater propulsion