# Fileset

[Editorial_Nanomaterials.pdf](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/filesets/f7f019b1-6c11-4c44-9ee7-d171e48893c5/download)

## Creator

[Guohai Chen](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8481-0972), [Dai-Ming Tang](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7136-7481)

## Rights

[In Copyright](http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/)

## Other metadata

[Advances in Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Properties, and Cutting-Edge Applications](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/88c55e78-62d9-4c8c-b4a8-e1bb35d506ba)

## Fulltext

Editorial 1 Advances in Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Properties, and Cutting-Edge Applications 2 Guohai Chen 1,* and Dai-Ming Tang 2,3,* 3 1 Nanocarbon Material Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and 4 Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan 5 2 Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials 6 Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan 7 3 Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan 8 * Correspondence: guohai-chen@aist.go.jp (G.C.); tang.daiming@nims.go.jp (D.-M.T.) 9 Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have remained at the forefront of nanoscience for more than three decades, 10 owing to their unique cylindrical structures, exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, 11 and broad potential in electronics, energy, composites, and biomedical applications. Significant 12 advances have been achieved in scalable synthesis, structural control, and multifunctional integration. 13 More recently, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) 14 methodologies has opened new opportunities to optimize CNT growth, tailor structures, and predict 15 performance with unprecedented precision. 16 This Special Issue of Nanomaterials, “Advances in Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Properties, and 17 Cutting-Edge Applications,” assembles ten contributions from several research groups worldwide [1- 18 10]. The collection comprises five research articles and five review articles that span fundamental 19 synthesis studies, advanced characterizations, and diverse application demonstrations, reflecting 20 both the maturity of the field and the emergence of new directions. 21 Synthesis and Structural Engineering 22 A central topic in CNT research remains the precise control of synthesis and its structures. Several 23 contributions focus on refining CNT growth strategies and tailoring their structures for targeted 24 applications. Shimizu et al. [1] introduced a chromatographic approach to effectively assess CNT– 25 organic interactions, enabling improved CNT dispersibility in suspensions. Their study provides a 26 versatile platform for understanding interfacial chemistry, which is critical for tailoring CNT 27 compatibility with polymers, solvents, and functional molecules in advanced applications. Matsumoto 28 et al. [2] reported the direct growth of CNTs on aluminum nitride substrates, demonstrating a marked 29 improvement in composite thermal conductivity with reduced filler ratios. This approach represents a 30 significant advancement in the design of thermally conductive materials, with potential implications 31 for a wide range of applications. Nwanno et al. [3] fabricated copper-filled vertically aligned CNTs 32  (VACNTs) directly on copper foil substrates, achieving enhanced field emission performance. Their 33 findings demonstrate the viability of thin copper substrates in creating dense and highly conductive 34 copper-filled VACNT arrays for advanced electronic and nanoelectronics applications. 35 Properties from Nano to Macro 36 Translating the intrinsic properties of CNTs into macroscopic performance remains another core 37 challenge. Xiang et al. [4] comprehensively review the electrical properties and measurement 38 techniques of CNTs, spanning from individual nanotubes to macroscopic assemblies. They highlight 39 the difficulties in transferring the electrical properties from nanoscale to bulk materials and proposed 40 strategies for future research and development directions to boost the electrical conductivity of CNT 41 assemblies. Rezaee et al. [5] fabricated single-walled CNT (SWCNT) thin films using the floating catalyst 42 chemical vapor deposition method and systematically explored their electrical characteristics after 43 acid treatment through Hall effect measurements. Their study offers new insights into the correlation 44 between structural, electrical, and optical properties, contributing to a deeper understanding of 45 structure–property relationships. 46 Application-Oriented Developments 47 The versatility of CNTs is further illustrated through application-focused contributions. Ishihara et al. [6] 48 developed a purge-free, actuator-driven formaldehyde gas sensor based on SWCNT chemiresistors. By 49 leveraging periodic actuation, the sensor achieved reliable detection of formaldehyde gas over a wide 50 concentration range (0.05-15 ppm) with excellent selectivity over other volatile organic compounds and 51 stability, underscoring the utility of CNTs in environmental monitoring. Almansoori et al. [7] present a 52 comprehensive review of CNT/graphene-reinforced ceramics, detailing how these hybrid materials can 53 achieve superior toughness, hardness, and thermal stability compared to conventional ceramics, while 54 also highlighting challenges in processing, scalability, and interfacial compatibility that must be 55 addressed for practical applications. Alfei et al. [8] review antimicrobial CNT composites, emphasizing 56 their potential in medical, packaging, and environmental applications. They explore how CNTs can 57 inhibit microbial growth while also addressing concerns of cytotoxicity, environmental impact, and 58 regulatory acceptance, thereby offering balanced insights into performance and safety considerations. 59 Snowdon et al. [9] review strategies to enhance product durability of CNT-based materials, focusing on 60 synergistic molecular assembly, intrinsic and engineered self-repair, and advanced characterization 61 techniques. By identifying current challenges and future research frontiers, the review underscores that 62 the creation of truly durable materials depends on an integrated understanding of how to build, repair, 63 and precisely measure CNT-based systems. 64 Emerging Trends and AI Integration 65  A particularly exciting frontier is the integration of AI and ML into CNT research. Chen et al. [10] review 66 the role of ML as a “catalyst” for accelerating CNT research, covering areas such as synthesis 67 optimization, characterization, property prediction, and application development. The review 68 highlights how data-driven approaches can close the loop between experiment and theory, potentially 69 enabling autonomous laboratories for discovery and design of CNT-related research. Such approaches 70 are likely to become increasingly important for accelerating innovation in nanomaterials science. 71 Outlook 72 Taken together, the contributions in this Special Issue capture the dynamic progress of CNT research. 73 They reveal how advances in synthesis and structural engineering, the translation of properties from 74 nano to macro scales, and the expansion of applications into sensing, composites, and biomedicine 75 are converging to unlock the full potential of CNTs. At the same time, emerging AI-driven methodologies 76 are reshaping how the field approaches discovery and optimization. 77 We hope this collection not only highlights the representative advances in CNT research but also serves 78 as a catalyst for future interdisciplinary innovation. In particular, the integration of AI with CNT science 79 has the potential to redefine material design, accelerate translation into real-world technologies, and 80 shape the next generation of nanomaterials breakthroughs. 81 Looking forward, key priorities include bridging the gap between nanoscale performance and scalable 82 industrial implementation, developing sustainable and cost-effective synthesis routes, integrating AI- 83 guided design into mainstream workflows, and addressing safety, environmental, and regulatory 84 considerations to support broader commercialization. With these combined efforts, CNTs will continue 85 to inspire and enable transformative technologies in the years ahead. 86  87 Funding: This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP23K04552. D.T. discloses support 88 from JSPS Kakenhi (grants JP25820336, JP20K05281, JP23H01796), JST-FOREST Program (grant 89 JPMJFR223T, Japan), WPI-MANA ‘Challenging Research Program (CRP)’, NIMS ‘Support system for 90 curiosity-driven research’, and "Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials and Nanotechnology in 91 Japan (ARIM)" of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Proposal 92 Number JPMXP1224NM5238. 93 Acknowledgements: We extend our sincere gratitude to all the authors for their excellent contributions 94 and to the reviewers for their valuable time and constructive feedback, which ensured the high quality 95 of this Special Issue. We especially thank Ms. Jeusy Zou, our dedicated Assistant Editor, for her 96 persistent and professional support throughout the process. We also acknowledge the Nanomaterials 97 editorial team for their professional and efficient management and guidance. 98 Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 99  References 100 Shimizu, T.; Kishi, R.; Hirano, A.; Kokubo, K.; Hata, K. Chromatographic Assessment of Organic 101 Compounds Using Carbon Nanotubes: The Relationship between Affinity and Dispersibility. 102 Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 824. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100824. 103 Matsumoto, N.; Futaba, D.N.; Yamada, T.; Kokubo, K. Enhancing the Thermal Conductivity of 104 CNT/AlN/Silicone Rubber Composites by Using CNTs Directly Grown on AlN to Achieve a Reduced Filler 105 Filling Ratio. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 528. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060528. 106 Nwanno, C.E.; Thapa, A.; Watt, J.; Bendayan, D.S.; Li, W.Z. Field Emission Properties of Cu-Filled 107 Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Grown Directly on Thin Cu Foils. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 988. 108 https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110988. 109 Xiang, Y.X.; Zhang, L.L.; Liu, C. Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes: From Individual to 110 Assemblies. Nanomaterials 2025, 15, 1165. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15151165. 111 Rezaee, M.D.; Dahal, B.; Watt, J.; Abrar, M.; Hodges, D.R.; Li, W.Z. Structural, Electrical, and Optical 112 Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized through Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor 113 Deposition. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 965. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110965. 114 Ishihara, S.; Chahal, M.K.; Labuta, J.; Tanaka, T.; Kataura, H.; Hill, J.P.; Nakanishi, T. Actuator-Driven, 115 Purge-Free Formaldehyde Gas Sensor Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Nanomaterials 116 2025, 15, 962. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130962. 117 Almansoori, A.; Balázsi, K.; Balázsi, C. Advances, Challenges, and Applications of Graphene and 118 Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Engineering Ceramics. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 1881. 119 https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231881. 120 Alfei, S.; Schito, G.C. Antimicrobial Nanotubes: From Synthesis and Promising Antimicrobial Upshots 121 to Unanticipated Toxicities, Strategies to Limit Them, and Regulatory Issues. Nanomaterials 2025, 15, 122 633. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15080633. 123 Snowdon, M.R.; Rathod, S.; Liang, R.F.L.; Freire-Gormaly, M. Architecting Durability: Synergies in 124 Assembly, Self-Repair, and Advanced Characterization of Carbon Nanotube Materials. Nanomaterials 125 2025, 15, 1352. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171352. 126 Chen, G.; Tang, D.-M. Machine Learning as a “Catalyst” for Advancements in Carbon Nanotube 127 Research. 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