For the study, researchers used
multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs), which contain several nanotubes nested within each other, prepared for the study by the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.
The scientists synthesized the sponges by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process during which the CNTs (
multi-walled nanotubes with diameters in the range of 30 to 50nm and lengths of tens to hundreds of micrometers,) self - assembled into a porous, interconnected, three - dimensional framework.
There are two main types of nanotubes: single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and
multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs).
Raw single - and
multi-walled nanotubes and particles in either solution had little effect on the plants» growth, they found.