Macromolecular Materials Laboratory People



Marcelo Motta

Dr. Marcelo Motta


Research Associate
Carbon Nanotube Properties
msm35@cam.ac.uk

Office: +44 (0)1223 334335
Fax: +44 (0)1223 334567

As a Post-Doc researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, my main line of work is to optimise the process for the production of high-performance pure carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres. The fibres are produced by direct spinning an aerogel of carbon nanotubes formed in the reaction zone of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) furnace. Currently, about 25% of the fibres produced are in the high-performance range (strength of 2 N/Tex). My research interests are also a great deal directed towards the microstructural characterization of these carbon nanotube fibres. I am especially interested in using those techniques related to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), namely: conventional and high-resolution TEM, selected area and convergent beam electron diffraction (SAED and CBED) and composition mapping using STEM or EFTEM. Collapsed Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
NT Market As a Chevening Technology Enterprise Fellow (CTES/CSE London) I became interested in technology transfer issues and possibilities commercialising the various research works developed within our group. In particular, I believe that carbon nanotube fibres, in the near future, will be the first choice of a strong, lightweight material. For instance, an excellent market opportunity for such fibres will be their use as bullet-proof vests and protective layers for military vehicles. Carbon nanotube fibre-polymer composites will find interesting applications in aerospace components.

List of Publications

1. Marcelo Motta, Anna Moisala, Ian Kinloch, and Alan Windle. “The role of sulphur in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes by chemical vapour deposition at high temperatures”. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 8, 2442–2449, 2008.

2. Krzysztof Koziol, Juan Vilatela, Anna Moisala, Marcelo Motta, Philip Cunniff, Michael Sennett, Alan Windle. “High-Performance Carbon Nanotube Fiber”, Science 318, 1892-1895, 2007.

3. Marcelo Motta, Anna Moisala, Ian Kinloch, and Alan Windle. “High Performance Fibres from ‘Dog-Bone’ Carbon Nanotubes”. Advanced Materials 19, 3721–3726, 2007.

4. Marcelo Motta, Ian Kinloch, Anna Moisala, Venugoplan Premnath, Martin Pick and Alan Windle. “The parameter space for the direct spinning of fibres and films of carbon nanotubes“. Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures Volume 37, Issues 1-2, Pages 40-43, 2007.

5. D. Eder, M.S. Motta, I.A. Kinloch and A.H. Windle. “Anatase nanotubes as support for platinum nanocrystals”. Physica E: (Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures, Volume 37, Issues 1-2, Pages 245-249, 2007.

6. Marcelo Motta, Ya-Li Li, Ian Kinloch, and Alan Windle. “Mechanical Properties of Continuously Spun Fibers of Carbon Nanotubes”. Nano Letters, 5 (8), 1529-1533, 2005.

7. E.A. Brocchi, M.S. Motta, I.G. Solórzano, P.K. Jena and F.J. Moura. “Alternative chemical-based synthesis routes and characterization of nano-scale particles”. Materials Science and Engineering B, Volume 112, Issues 2-3, 25, Pages 200-205, 2004.

8. E.A. Brocchi, M.S. Motta, I.G. Solórzano, P.K. Jena, F.J. Moura. “Chemical Route Processing and Structural Characterization of Cu-Al2O3 and Ni-Al2O3 Nano-Composites”. Journal of Metastable and Nanocrystalline Materials, N. 22, p. 77-82, 2004.

9. P.K. Jena, E.A. Brocchi, and M.S. Motta “Preparation of Cu-Ni Alloys through a New Chemical Route”. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Volume 35, No 6, 2004.

10. P. K. Jena, E. A. Brocchi, I. G. Solórzano and M. S. Motta. “Identification of a third phase in Cu–Al2O3 nanocomposites prepared by chemical routes”. Materials Science and Engineering A, Volume 371, Issues 1-2, 25, Pages 72-78, 2004.

11. M. S. Motta, E. A. Brocchi, I. G. Solórzano and P. K. Jena. “Complementary Microscopy Techniques Applied to the Characterization of Cu-Al2O3 Nanocomposites”. FORMATEX Microscopy Book Series No 2 - Current Issues on Multidisciplinary Microscopy Research and Education [ISBN (13): 978-84-609-6605-4 / (10): 84-609-6605-4] p.215-223, 2004.

12. M. S. Motta, P. K. Jena, E. A. Brocchi and I. G. Solórzano. “Characterization of Cu–Al2O3 nano-scale composites synthesized by in situ reduction”. Materials Science and Engineering: C, Volume 15, Issues 1-2, Pages 175-177, 2001

13. P. K. Jena, E. A. Brocchi and M. S. Motta. “In-situ formation of Cu–Al2O3 nano-scale composites by chemical routes and studies on their microstructures”. Materials Science and Engineering A, Volume 313, Issues 1-2, Pages 180-186, 2001.

14. P.K. Jena, E.A. Brocchi, and M.S. Motta “Studies on the kinetics of Reduction of NiO by Hydrogen”. Transactions Indian Institute of Metals [ISSN 0019-493X], Vol 53; Part 4/5, pages 501-508, 2000.




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