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Originally published on January 18, 2024

pbinstitutionalresearch@pitchbook.com

EMERGING SPACE BRIEF

Carbon Nanotubes

Ali Javaheri

Analyst, Emerging Technology

ali.javaheri@pitchbook.com

1: “Carbon Nanotube,” ScienceDirect, Waqar Ahmed, et al., n.d., accessed January 10, 2024.

2: “A Brief Introduction of Carbon Nanotubes: History, Synthesis, and Properties,” IOP Publishing, Junqi Chen, et al., 2021.

3: “Sumio Iijima,” International Balzan Prize Foundation, n.d., accessed January 10, 2024.

Trending companies Overview

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanoscale sheets of graphene rolled into a cylindrical

tube. CNTs have special features and abilities, some of which are similar to graphite

while others come from their tube-like, one-dimensional shape. Depending on their

specific structure, CNTs can behave like metals or semiconductors, which are key in

electronic devices. Metallic CNTs, in particular, can conduct electricity over 1000x

better than common metals, such as copper. They have a unique way of conducting

electricity that makes them extremely efficient and mobile, surpassing many

standard semiconductors.

CNTs are much stronger than steel, and they conduct heat better than diamond.

They also have a very high surface area relative to their size, which makes them

quite light and strong. CNTs are also highly stable and can resist most chemical

reactions, unless they are exposed to high heat and oxygen. These properties

make CNTs excellent for a wide range of applications, including various electronic

components, sensors, batteries, and materials for protecting againstelectricity.1

Background

The history of CNTs is a tapestry of discovery and debate. The material’s origins

can be traced back to 1952 when Soviet scientists L.V. Radushkevich and V.M.

Lukyanovich published images of nanometer-sized carbon tubes, though this early

work was largely overlooked due to limited access to Soviet scientific research for

Western colleagues.2 The term “carbon nanotubes” was coined by Sumio Iijima in

1991 when he observed needle-like carbon structures under an electron microscope,

which he identified as multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Single-walled variants were

discovered shortly after in 1993. The theoretical predictions and subsequent

experimental confirmations of CNTs’ unique electrical properties fueled a surge

in research and potential industrial applications, making them a cornerstone of

nanotechnology and materials science.3

Carbon nanotubes VC

deal activity

Deal value ($M) Deal count

$64.4

$114.2

$87.6

$236.4

$376.2

$101.3

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023*

Source: PitchBook • Geography: Global

*As of January 9, 2024

Emerging Space Brief: Carbon Nanotubes

known for producing SWNTs with high purity and quality. The diameter of the

nanotubes depends on the laser power. A notable benefit is its high yield and low

metallic impurities, but this method is not economically advantageous for large-

scale production and the nanotubes produced may not be uniformly straight.

Carbon arc discharge: This technique involves high temperatures (above 1,700

degrees C) and uses arc discharge between high-purity graphite electrodes in a

helium environment. It is effective for creating fewer structural defects in CNTs and

can produce both SWNTs and MWNTs. The method boasts high yields of SWNTs

with an average diameter of 1.4 nanometers. The main advantage is its potential for

large-quantity production, but it offers little control over nanotube alignment and

requires purification due to metallic catalysts.

Purification8

The purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) involves a series of steps to remove

impurities like amorphous carbon, metal catalyst particles, and other carbonaceous

materials. These steps include acid treatment, often using concentrated acids like

nitric or hydrochloric acid, to dissolve metal particles. Filtration and centrifugation

techniques are employed to separate CNTs from larger graphite particles and

solvents. Additionally, thermal oxidation is used to eliminate amorphous carbon,

while size exclusion chromatography and ultrasonication aid in separating and

dispersing nanotubes. These methods vary in complexity and effectiveness, and are

crucial for achieving the high purity required for specific applications of CNTs. The

development of single-step, nondestructive purification processes that maintain the

properties of CNTs is a crucial area for future research.

Applications

Biological and biomedical research: CNTs have shown promise in improving

mechanical properties of biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites for tissue

engineering applications with materials such as bone, cartilage, muscle, and nerve

tissue. Due to their compatibility with biomolecules like DNA and proteins, CNTs have

been utilized in fluorescent and photoacoustic imaging, localized heating for cancer

therapy, and biosensors for detecting various biological substances.

Composite materials: CNTs are incorporated into materials to enhance their

mechanical properties, making them applicable in items ranging from everyday goods

like clothes and sports gear to specialized applications such as combat jackets and

space elevators. Their high mechanical strength and conductivity have led to their use

in manufacturing wind turbine blades, maritime security boats, and sports goods.

Microelectronics: Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors and other electronic

components made from CNTs have been developed, showing the potential to operate

at room temperature and perform digital switching using a single electron. They are

considered alternatives to traditional materials in various electronic devices, offering

improvements in performance and size.

8: “Carbon Nanotubes: Properties, Synthesis, Purification, and Medical Applications,” Nanoscale Research Letters, Ali Eatemadi, August 13, 2014.

Emerging Space Brief: Carbon Nanotubes

Energy storage and solar cells: CNTs have been applied in energy storage devices

like supercapacitors and batteries, improving capacity and cyclability. In solar cells,

CNTs contribute to increased efficiency through their strong UV, visible, and near-

infrared light absorption characteristics, and they are being explored as potential

replacements for indium tin oxide in photovoltaic devices.

Hydrogen storage: Research has focused on using CNTs for storing hydrogen gas

at high densities without condensing it into a liquid, providing a potential solution

for hydrogen-powered vehicles by allowing storage in its gaseous state, thereby

increasing efficiency.

Environmental remediation: CNTs have been used in water treatment processes

as they exhibit strong adsorption affinities for various contaminants. They are also

being explored for air purification as well as for developing coatings and materials

for environmental cleanup applications.

Limitations

CNTs face significant limitations, particularly in terms of scalability and cost as

well as environmental and health concerns. Scalability remains a major issue, as

producing high-quality CNTs on a large scale is expensive, with the cost of single-

walled CNTs ranging from $75 per gram to $300 per gram.9 This high cost is a

barrier to their widespread use, especially in applications requiring large quantities.

Additionally, ensuring consistent quality during mass production is challenging;

issues like impurity and structural defects can significantly affect the electrical and

mechanical properties of CNTs.

Environmental and health concerns also pose limitations. The impact of CNTs on

human health and the environment is not yet fully understood, leading to hesitations

in their use, particularly in consumer products. Potential toxicity and the effects of

long-term exposure to CNTs require careful consideration and management. These

challenges underscore the need for advancements in the production of CNTs, aimed

at improving scalability and cost-effectiveness, while also addressing safety and

environmental concerns.

Recent deal activity and market outlook

Recent venture capital activity in the CNT market highlights the growing interest

in sophisticated energy storage solutions, which are essential for the transition

to clean energy. Omega Power’s significant $18.0 million Series A funding in July

2023, aimed at advancing their CNT-based lithium battery electrodes, underscores

this trend. Additionally, Nano-C’s impressive $50.0 million funding in January

2023, catering to a diverse range of applications from renewable energy to

semiconductors, reflects the broad potential of CNTs. However, 2022 marked an

exceptional year, largely due to OCSiAl’s substantial $300.0 million round in March.

Excluding this, 2022 experienced a dip in deal activity, paralleling trends in the

broader venture capital market of 2021. Yet, 2023 witnessed a resurgence, indicating

a fluctuating but promising trajectory in CNT deal activity over the past five years.

9: “Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes,” Cheap Tubes, n.d., accessed January 10, 2024.

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AliJavaheriEMERGINGSPACEBRIEFAnalyst,EmergingTechnologyali.javaheri@pitchbook.comCarbonNanotubesOriginallypublishedonJanuary18,2024pbinstitutionalresearch@pitchbook.comTrendingcompaniesOverviewCarbonnanotubesVCCarbonnanotubes(CNTs)arenanoscalesheetsofgraphenerolledintoacylindricaldealactivitytube.CNTshavespecialfeaturesandabilities,someofwhicharesimilartographitewhileotherscomefromtheirtube-like,one-dimensionalshape.Dependingontheir3735specificstructure,CNTscanbehavelikemetalsorsemiconductors,whicharekeyinelectronicdevices.MetallicCNTs,inparticular,canconductelectricityover1000x3534betterthancommonmetals,suchascopper.Theyhaveauniquewayofconductingelectricitythatmakesthemextremelyefficientandmobile,surpassingmany22standardsemiconductors.19CNTsaremuchstrongerthansteel,andtheyconductheatbetterthandiamond.$64.4Theyalsohaveaveryhighsurfacearearelativetotheirsize,whichmakesthem$114.2quitelightandstrong.CNTsarealsohighlystableandcanresistmostchemical$87.6reactions,unlesstheyareexposedtohighheatandoxygen.Theseproperties$236.4makeCNTsexcellentforawiderangeofapplications,includingvariouselectronic$376.2components,sensors,batteries,andmaterialsforprotectingagainstelectricity.1$101.3Background201820192020202120222023Dealvalue($M)DealcountThehistoryofCNTsisatapestryofdiscoveryanddebate.Thematerial’soriginscanbetracedbackto1952whenSovietscientistsL.V.RadushkevichandV.M.Source:PitchBook•Geography:GlobalLukyanovichpublishedimagesofnanometer-sizedcarbontubes,thoughthisearlyAsofJanuary9,2024workwaslargelyoverlookedduetolimitedaccesstoSovietscientificresearchforWesterncolleagues.2Theterm“carbonnanotubes”wascoinedbySumioIijimain1991whenheobservedneedle-likecarbonstructuresunderanelectronmicroscope,whichheidentifiedasmultiwalledcarbonnanotubes.Single-walledvariantswerediscoveredshortlyafterin1993.ThetheoreticalpredictionsandsubsequentexperimentalconfirmationsofCNTs’uniqueelectricalpropertiesfueledasurgeinresearchandpotentialindustrialapplications,makingthemacornerstoneofnanotechnologyandmaterialsscience.31:“CarbonNanotube,”ScienceDirect,WaqarAhmed,etal.,n.d.,accessedJanuary10,2024.2:“ABriefIntroductionofCarbonNanotubes:History,Synthesis,andProperties,”IOPPublishing,JunqiChen,etal.,2021.3:“SumioIijima,”InternationalBalzanPrizeFoundation,n.d.,accessedJanuary10,2024.1EmergingSpaceBrief:CarbonNanotubesknownforproducingSWNTswithhighpurityandquality.Thediameterofthenanotubesdependsonthelaserpower.Anotablebenefitisitshighyieldandlowmetallicimpurities,butthismethodisnoteconomicallyadvantageousforlarge-scaleproductionandthenanotubesproducedmaynotbeuniformlystraight.Carbonarcdischarge:Thistechniqueinvolveshightemperatures(above1,700degreesC)andusesarcdischargebetweenhigh-puritygraphiteelectrodesinaheliumenvironment.ItiseffectiveforcreatingfewerstructuraldefectsinCNTsandcanproducebothSWNTsandMWNTs.ThemethodboastshighyieldsofSWNTswithanaveragediameterof1.4nanometers.Themainadvantageisitspotentialforlarge-quantityproduction,butitofferslittlecontrolovernanotubealignmentandrequirespurificationduetometalliccatalysts.Purification8Thepurificationofcarbonnanotubes(CNTs)involvesaseriesofstepstoremoveimpuritieslikeamorphouscarbon,metalcatalystparticles,andothercarbonaceousmaterials.Thesestepsincludeacidtreatment,oftenusingconcentratedacidslikenitricorhydrochloricacid,todissolvemetalparticles.FiltrationandcentrifugationtechniquesareemployedtoseparateCNTsfromlargergraphiteparticlesandsolvents.Additionally,thermaloxidationisusedtoeliminateamorphouscarbon,whilesizeexclusionchromatographyandultrasonicationaidinseparatinganddispersingnanotubes.Thesemethodsvaryincomplexityandeffectiveness,andarecrucialforachievingthehighpurityrequiredforspecificapplicationsofCNTs.Thedevelopmentofsingle-step,nondestructivepurificationprocessesthatmaintainthepropertiesofCNTsisacrucialareaforfutureresearch.ApplicationsBiologicalandbiomedicalresearch:CNTshaveshownpromiseinimprovingmechanicalpropertiesofbiodegradablepolymericnanocompositesfortissueengineeringapplicationswithmaterialssuchasbone,cartilage,muscle,andnervetissue.DuetotheircompatibilitywithbiomoleculeslikeDNAandproteins,CNTshavebeenutilizedinfluorescentandphotoacousticimaging,localizedheatingforcancertherapy,andbiosensorsfordetectingvariousbiologicalsubstances.Compositematerials:CNTsareincorporatedintomaterialstoenhancetheirmechanicalproperties,makingthemapplicableinitemsrangingfromeverydaygoodslikeclothesandsportsgeartospecializedapplicationssuchascombatjacketsandspaceelevators.Theirhighmechanicalstrengthandconductivityhaveledtotheiruseinmanufacturingwindturbineblades,maritimesecurityboats,andsportsgoods.Microelectronics:Carbonnanotubefield-effecttransistorsandotherelectroniccomponentsmadefromCNTshavebeendeveloped,showingthepotentialtooperateatroomtemperatureandperformdigitalswitchingusingasingleelectron.Theyareconsideredalternativestotraditionalmaterialsinvariouselectronicdevices,offeringimprovementsinperformanceandsize.8:“CarbonNanotubes:Properties,Synthesis,Purification,andMedicalApplications,”NanoscaleResearchLetters,AliEatemadi,August13,2014.3EmergingSpaceBrief:CarbonNanotubesEnergystorageandsolarcells:CNTshavebeenappliedinenergystoragedeviceslikesupercapacitorsandbatteries,improvingcapacityandcyclability.Insolarcells,CNTscontributetoincreasedefficiencythroughtheirstrongUV,visible,andnear-infraredlightabsorptioncharacteristics,andtheyarebeingexploredaspotentialreplacementsforindiumtinoxideinphotovoltaicdevices.Hydrogenstorage:ResearchhasfocusedonusingCNTsforstoringhydrogengasathighdensitieswithoutcondensingitintoaliquid,providingapotentialsolutionforhydrogen-poweredvehiclesbyallowingstorageinitsgaseousstate,therebyincreasingefficiency.Environmentalremediation:CNTshavebeenusedinwatertreatmentprocessesastheyexhibitstrongadsorptionaffinitiesforvariouscontaminants.Theyarealsobeingexploredforairpurificationaswellasfordevelopingcoatingsandmaterialsforenvironmentalcleanupapplications.LimitationsCNTsfacesignificantlimitations,particularlyintermsofscalabilityandcostaswellasenvironmentalandhealthconcerns.Scalabilityremainsamajorissue,asproducinghigh-qualityCNTsonalargescaleisexpensive,withthecostofsingle-walledCNTsrangingfrom$75pergramto$300pergram.9Thishighcostisabarriertotheirwidespreaduse,especiallyinapplicationsrequiringlargequantities.Additionally,ensuringconsistentqualityduringmassproductionischallenging;issueslikeimpurityandstructuraldefectscansignificantlyaffecttheelectricalandmechanicalpropertiesofCNTs.Environmentalandhealthconcernsalsoposelimitations.TheimpactofCNTsonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentisnotyetfullyunderstood,leadingtohesitationsintheiruse,particularlyinconsumerproducts.Potentialtoxicityandtheeffectsoflong-termexposuretoCNTsrequirecarefulconsiderationandmanagement.ThesechallengesunderscoretheneedforadvancementsintheproductionofCNTs,aimedatimprovingscalabilityandcost-effectiveness,whilealsoaddressingsafetyandenvironmentalconcerns.RecentdealactivityandmarketoutlookRecentventurecapitalactivityintheCNTmarkethighlightsthegrowinginterestinsophisticatedenergystoragesolutions,whichareessentialforthetransitiontocleanenergy.OmegaPower’ssignificant$18.0millionSeriesAfundinginJuly2023,aimedatadvancingtheirCNT-basedlithiumbatteryelectrodes,underscoresthistrend.Additionally,Nano-C’simpressive$50.0millionfundinginJanuary2023,cateringtoadiverserangeofapplicationsfromrenewableenergytosemiconductors,reflectsthebroadpotentialofCNTs.However,2022markedanexceptionalyear,largelyduetoOCSiAl’ssubstantial$300.0millionroundinMarch.Excludingthis,2022experiencedadipindealactivity,parallelingtrendsinthebroaderventurecapitalmarketof2021.Yet,2023witnessedaresurgence,indicatingafluctuatingbutpromisingtrajectoryinCNTdealactivityoverthepastfiveyears.9:“SingleWalledCarbonNanotubes,”CheapTubes,n.d.,accessedJanuary10,2024.4EmergingSpaceBrief:CarbonNanotubesQuantitativeperspectiveForadeeperdiveintothedataandtoexplore194552492$2.5Badditionalinsights,visitthePitchBookPlatformorrequestafreetrial.companiesdealsinvestorscapitalinvested43$1.5M$9.8M$180.4Mdeals(TTM)mediandealsizemedianpost-moneycapitalinvested-10.4%YoY(TTM)valuation(TTM)(TTM)-35.9%YoY29.5%YoY-77.7%YoYAsofJanuary9,2024TopcarbonnanotubescompaniesbytotalraisedCompanyTotalraisedLatestdealvalueLastdealdateDealtypeHQlocationYearfounded($M)($M)March29,2022Late-stageVCOCSiAl$300.0$300.0April1,2020M&ALeudelange,Luxembourg2009Susn$273.2$84.0August2,2021M&ANantero$169.0N/AJuly15,2019IPOShenzhen,China2011CNano$155.8$134.8January5,2023Late-stageVCNano-C$128.0$50.0September23,2021Early-stageVCWoburn,US2001Prometheus$115.8$100.0November1,2022Late-stageVCCanatu$75.6$17.7Zhenjiang,China2007ChangxinChemicalJanuary6,2023IPOTechnology$75.3N/AWestwood,US2001JEIOCoNovember18,2022IPONanocomp$71.1$97.1SantaCruz,US2018TechnologiesDecember31,2021Grant$54.7$2.2Vantaa,Finland2004Dezhou,China2009Incheon,SouthKorea1994Merrimack,US2004Source:PitchBook•Geography:Global•AsofJanuary9,20245EmergingSpaceBrief:CarbonNanotubesTopcarbonnanotubescompaniesbyExitPredictoropportunityscoreCompanyOpportunitySuccessM&AIPOprobabilityTotalraisedHQlocationYearfoundedscoreprobabilityprobability($M)Picopack9576%53%Daejeon,SouthKorea2016Carbice9385%82%23%$5.8Atlanta,US2011AlignedCarbon8981%80%SantaClara,US2018Cens8879%77%3%$16.5TelAviv,Israel2014OCSiAl8794%60%Leudelange,Luxembourg2009UPCatalyst8375%74%1%$3.6Tallinn,Estonia2019MattrixTechnologies8073%72%Gainesville,US2018AwexomeRay7285%79%2%$4.9Anyang-si,SouthKorea2018MeijoNanoCarbon7165%62%Nagoya,Japan2005NovaSolix6856%43%34%$300.0Newark,US20151%$5.01%$8.06%$14.33%$7.213%$22.7Source:PitchBook•Geography:Global•AsofJanuary9,2024Note:ProbabilitydatabasedonPitchBookVCExitPredictorMethodology.TopcarbonnanotubescompaniesbynumberofactivepatentsCompanyActivepatentdocumentsTotalraised($M)HQlocationYearfoundedNantero431$169.0Woburn,US2001BrewerScience395N/ARolla,US1981HyperionCatalysis222N/ACambridge,US1982InternationalNano-C154$128.0Westwood,US2001Nanocomp128$54.7Merrimack,US2004TechnologiesBNNTMaterials98$5.5NewportNews,US2010MolecularRebar96N/AAustin,US2012DesignCanatu83$75.6Vantaa,Finland2004C2CNT63N/ACalgary,Canada1987Thermoheld58N/ABayreuth,Germany2002Source:PitchBook•Geography:Global•AsofJanuary9,20246EmergingSpaceBrief:CarbonNanotubesTopcarbonnanotubesinvestorsInvestorInvestmentsHQlocationNationalScienceFoundation21Alexandria,USUnitedStatesDepartmentofDefense20Washington,USUSDepartmentofEnergy12Washington,USUnitedStatesAirForce10UniversalCity,US180DegreeCapital5Montclair,USCRV5SanFrancisco,USNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration5Washington,USNIHSeed5Bethesda,USDraperFisherJurvetsonManagement4MenloPark,USGlobespanCapitalPartners4Boston,USInnovateUK4Swindon,UKShenzhenCapitalGroup4Shenzhen,ChinaStataVenturePartners4Needham,USTELVentureCapital4Fremont,USXintek4Durham,USSource:PitchBook•Geography:Global•AsofJanuary9,2024Recommendedreading•“CarbonNanotubesHistoryandProductionMethods,”CheapTubes,n.d.,accessedJanuary10,2024.•“CarbonNanotubes:Uses,PropertiesandLimitations,”Ossila,NicolaWilliams,n.d.,January10,2024.•“CarbonNanotubesHaveProgressedTowardEnergyandHealthApplications,butMisconceptionsRemain,”Phys.org,AveryRuxerFranklin,December12,2023.•“Single-WalledCarbonNanotubes:Structure,Properties,Applications,andHealth&Safety,”OCSiAl,MarinaFilchakovaandVladimirSaik,May12,2021.COPYRIGHT©2024byPitchBookData,Inc.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanymeans—graphic,electronic,ormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,taping,andinformationstorageandretrievalsystems—withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofPitchBookData,Inc.Contentsarebasedoninformationfromsourcesbelievedtobereliable,butaccuracyandcompletenesscannotbeguaranteed.Nothinghereinshouldbeconstruedasinvestmentadvice,apast,currentorfuturerecommendationtobuyorsellanysecurityoranoffertosell,orasolicitationofanoffertobuyanysecurity.Thismaterialdoesnotpurporttocontainalloftheinformationthataprospectiveinvestormaywishtoconsiderandisnottoberelieduponassuchorusedinsubstitutionfortheexerciseofindependentjudgment.7StartYourFinance起点财经，网罗天下报告

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