Have you ever wondered about tiny materials that measure in the billionths of a meter? How are these materials so small yet strong enough to potentially build an elevator to space? Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are exactly that kind of remarkable material. These microscopic tubes of carbon atoms are one of the most significant discoveries in material science in the past few decades.
In this article, we will explore these fascinating structures, what they are, and their properties and applications. Here, we will show why scientists are so excited about their potential.
What Are Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes?
When people ask what SWCNTs are, the simplest response is that they are incredibly thin tubes made entirely of carbon atoms. You might be asked to compare them to tiny straws and relate them to a single strand of your hair. To match the width of your hair, you would need to line up about 50,000 of these straws. But unlike regular straws, these tubes have only atom-thick walls. Yes, they are that small.
To better understand SWCNTs, here’s another comparison. If you take a piece of graphite (the material in your pencil) and peel off a single layer, you’ll get a material called graphene. Then, if you could roll sheets of this graphene into perfect cylinders, you’d have single-walled carbon nanotubes.
It’s like rolling chicken wire into a tube—except at an atomic scale, where each intersecting pattern is a carbon atom.
Most single-walled carbon nanotubes measure between 0.7 and 2 nanometers in diameter. They can also grow thousands of times longer than they are wide.
This extreme length-to-width ratio makes them a unique class of materials called “one-dimensional structures.” SWCNTs are called such because most properties develop along their length rather than width or height.
Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Structure
The structure of these materials is fascinating and determines their many unique properties.
At their most basic level, SWCNTs consist of carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of connected hexagons, similar to a honeycomb. Each carbon atom bonds to three others to form what scientists call sp2 bonds. These strong bonds give SWCNTs their strength and stability.
Chirality is a term scientists use to describe the angle at which the sheet of carbon atoms is rolled up. This term explains how the hexagons line up when rolled into a tube to create three main types of SWCNTs.
These include the armchair, zigzag, and chiral single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Properties

1. Mechanical Strength
SWCNTs are strong materials. They are 100 times stronger than steel but only weigh one-sixteenth as much.
In addition, their Young Modulus is 1.2 TPa, which makes them as stiff as diamonds.
Their stiffness is remarkable, with a Young’s Modulus of 1.2 TPa, which is as rigid as diamonds. But here’s something surprising. Despite being so strong, single-walled carbon nanotubes are also very flexible. They can bend, twist, and then return to their original shape without breaking.
2. Electrical Properties of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
SWCNTs are unique in how they conduct electricity. Depending on their structure, they can act like a metal or a semiconductor. Their current carrying capacity is 10amp⁹/cm² as opposed to copper with 10amp⁶/cm². This means SWCNTs can conduct up to 1000 times more current than copper wires of similar size.
These nanotubes have a special electrical property called a bandgap, ranging from 0 to 2eV. They can move electrons quickly, making them great for many electrical applications.
3. Thermal Conductivity of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
SWCNTs are outstanding heat performers. Their thermal conductivity exceeds 3,500 watts per meter Kelvin (W/m.K) and remains stable in vacuum conditions of up to 2,800°C.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes have excellent heat dissipation properties, which make them valuable in electronics. Furthermore, their temperature-dependent behavior makes them perfect for sensing applications and cooling devices.
4. Optical Properties of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
SWCNTs exhibit strong absorption at specific wavelengths of light and a unique fluorescence response. Unlike traditional materials, their interaction with light shows distinct polarization dependence. Their nonlinear optical effects allow them to modify light transmission uniquely, making them valuable in applications like solar cells and electroluminescent lighting.
Applications of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
1. Electronics
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are changing how we make electronic devices. Unlike traditional silicon-based components, they can create small, advanced transistors and integrated circuits. This means we could have much more compact and powerful electronic devices.
Their transparent and conductive nature makes them perfect for touchscreen technology. Common transparent conductors are brittle and expensive. On the other hand, SWCNTs offer flexibility, durability, and lower manufacturing costs. Future smartphones and tablets might have more energy-efficient and nearly unbreakable screens.
They can improve supercapacitors and memory chips in energy storage, resulting in devices that charge faster and hold more energy.
2. Energy Sector
Single-walled carbon nanotube applications in the energy sector make technology smarter.
In solar technology, SWCNTs can boost energy conversion by 20% to 30%. They help solar panels generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight by making electron movement easier.
In battery technology, they work as special materials that enhance capacity and changing speed. The electron pathways they produce lead to lesser internal resistance and heat generation. As a result, we could have electric vehicles that charge faster, last longer, and are lighter than current designs.
In addition, they’re also great for storing hydrogen and improving fuel cell performance.
3. Medical Applications
Single walled carbon nanotubes uses in medicine open up exciting possibilities.
SWCNTs are so small that they can deliver medicine directly to specific body cells and tissues. As a result, there will be minimal side effects and more effective treatment.
Doctors can use them to see inside the body more clearly and detect diseases earlier. In cancer treatment, they show promise for targeted therapy. For example, they can generate heat to destroy tumor cells without harming healthy tissue. This technique is termed thermal ablation.
Their unique properties also make them valuable for creating sensitive biosensors and scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Market
The SWCNT market is experiencing explosive growth. The market was valued at $0.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to increase to $30.5 billion by 2032. This represents a staggering 50.04% compound annual rate. The electronics and energy storage sectors drive much of this growth, with major markets concentrated in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
The Asian Pacific currently dominates the space, accounting for 40% of the market. North America is the second largest market, with Europe coming in third.
Several top-end industries drive the development of the SWCNT market. These include aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, sports, and electrical and electronics.
Research shows that continued development in these sectors will factor in an increase in demand for SWCNTs.
Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Price
The market price of a single-walled carbon nanotube pricing isn’t a simple, fixed value. This device belongs to a market heavily influenced by multiple critical factors.
1. Purity levels:
The purity of SWCNTs is the main determinant of their cost. A prime example is diamond grading, where the purer the diamond, the more expensive it becomes.
- Low purity (60-80%): Cheapest option, around $10-$50 per gram
- Medium purity (80-90%): Moderate price and quality
- High purity (90-99%): More expensive, about $200-$500 per gram
- Ultra-high purity (99%+): Most expensive, can cost over $1,000 per gram




2. Structural Specificity:
Not every single wall carbon nanotube is created equal. Their value varies based on:
- Diameter: How wide the nanotube is
- Chirality: The specific angle of the carbon atom arrangement
- Electrical behavior: Metallic or semiconducting
- Defect concentration: Fewer defects mean higher quality
3. Other factors
Several other considerations impact pricing:
- Research projects might need top-quality, expensive nanotubes
- Industrial applications can often use more affordable options
- Consider long-term cost-effectiveness, not just initial price
Since 2010, the price has dropped from thousands of dollars per gram in the early 2000s to between $10 and $1000 per gram in 2023. Based on these metrics, we expect continuous price reductions and quality improvements.
Pro Buying Tips
- Always get a detailed specification sheet
- Request purity and structural certification
- Compare prices from multiple suppliers
- Consider bulk purchasing for better rates
- Factor in shipping and handling costs
Conclusion
Single-walled carbon nanotubes are a major scientific breakthrough. They show how small changes at the molecular level can create powerful new technologies that work across different fields.
What makes these nanotubes special is their versatility. They can help create better solar panels that generate more electricity or help doctors develop new cancer treatments. These tiny tubes open up possibilities we never thought possible. They point to a future where technology can solve problems quickly and efficiently.
As scientists learn more about these nanotubes, they remind us of an important lesson: sometimes, the most amazing solutions come from understanding the smallest parts of our world.