Nanotubes as polymers

In this review, we show that the structure and behavior of singie-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) are essentially polymeric; in fact, many have referred to SWNTs as the ultimate polymer. The classification of SWNTS as polymers is explored by comparing the structure, properties, phase behavior, rheology, processing, and applications of SWNTs with those of rigid-rod polymers. Special attention is given to research efforts focusing on the use of SWNTs as molecular composites (also termed nanocomposites) with SWNTs as the filter and flexible polymer chains as the host. This perspective of SWNTs as polymers allows the methods, applications, and theoretical framework of polymer science to be appropriated and applied to nanotubes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.