Nanotube, nano thermometer and method for producing the same

Abstract

In order to provide a novel nano thermometer, which can use for temperature measurement of a wide temperature range, in a micrometer size environment, and a method for producing the same, the nano thermometer, comprising a carbon nanotube filled with a continuous columnar gallium, which enables measurement of environmental temperature by length change of the columnar gallium is produced by the method comprising mixing Ga 2 O 3 powder and carbon powder uniformly, and performing heat treatment for this mixed powder at a temperature range of 1200 to 1400° C. under an inert gas flow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A nano thermometer, comprising a carbon nanotube filled with a continuous columnar gallium, which enables measurement of environmental temperature by length change of the columnar gallium.  
     
     
         2 . A nano thermometer according to  claim 1 , having length of 1-10 μm and diameters of 40-150 nm.  
     
     
         3 . A nano thermometer according to claims  1  or  2 , which enables measurement of the temperature at least of the range of 50 to 500° C.  
     
     
         4 . A nano thermometer according to any one of claims  1 - 3 , whose error is within 0.25° C.  
     
     
         5 . A nanotube, comprising a carbon nanotube filled with a columnar gallium.  
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a nano thermometer, said method comprising mixing Ga 2 O 3  powder and carbon powder uniformly, performing heat treatment for this mixed powder at a temperature of 966° C. or more under an inert gas flow to vaporize, and making reaction at a temperature of 835° C. or less.  
     
     
         7 . A method for producing a nano thermometer according to  claim 6 , wherein a weight ratio of Ga 2 O 3  powder to carbon powder is 7.8:1.  
     
     
         8 . A method for producing a nano thermometer according to claims  6  or  7 , wherein carbon powder is an amorphous active carbon.  
     
     
         9 . A method for producing a nano thermometer according to any one of claims  5 - 8 , wherein inert gas is nitrogen gas.  
     
     
         10 . A method for producing a nano thermometer according to any one of claims  6 - 9 , wherein heat treatment is performed using a vertical radio-frequency furnace.  
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a nano thermometer according to any one of claims  6 - 10 , wherein heat treatment is performed for 1 hour or more at a temperature of 1300 to 1400° C.