Introduction of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are one of the exciting topics in the area of materials science physics, due to its potential wide range of existing and future applications. Carbon can be in the form of zero, one, two- and three-dimensional materials and their specific potential utility depends on the dimensions. Therefore, the basic concepts description on such materials including introduction of carbon and their hybridizations, overview on graphite, kinds of the carbon nanostructures and a note on fullerene are presented here. The technologically significant forms of carbon nanotubes such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are discussed. Moreover, various physical properties of carbon nanotubes such as electronic properties, structural parameters, electronic structure, curvature effects and bundles of nanotubes are also interpreted. In this order, the possible distinct kinds of defects within carbon nanotubes and their impact on carbon nanotubes physical properties are also discussed. Since almost all kinds of applicable carbon nanotubes are not completely free from defects, an extensive description on various key physical properties (such as mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical) is also interpreted.